Disclaimers: If you think we own the wonderful FY or the magnificent CCS
or the brilliant musical piece Carmina Burana, then you are really.... never
mind.
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CARMINA BURANA ~ CHAPTER 6
WERE DIU WERLT ALLE MIN
(WERE THE WORLD ALL MINE)
By Elcyion Pitye and *Aeris Tiniel Mirime*
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"So, how old are you, Chelsea?" Tomite asked her as he, she, and Chiriko wandered the posh hallways of Pinnacle Palace.
"Oh, I'm sixteen," she replied shyly, still feeling like such a filthy, idiotic peasant girl with no morals.
The eighteen-year-old knight nodded. "You are of the right age to be finding a suitor..."
The siblings shot him surprised looks. "Umm..." Chiriko started, unable to think of anything right to say. His sister blushed profusely, pretending to be marveled by the portraits of the king's ancestors on the wall next to her.
A short-haired girl in a flowing, silk dress suddenly came running from the opposite direction and crashed into Chelsea, both falling to the floor.
"Oh, my, I'm terribly sorry," said the pretty voice of the girl. Tomite helped her up.
Chiriko helped Chelsea up. Chelsea muttered a sorry and readjusted her peasant skirt. She looked up at the person she crashed into, and realized that it was the heir to Empress Subaru's throne, Princess Sakura.
She immediately fell to her knees and bowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness..." Tomite and Chiriko chuckled at Chelsea's frantic apology and then bent down on their knees out of respect.
"Oh, get up, get up," Sakura insisted to them all. "It's all right, um..."
"Chelsea, Your Highness."
"Hah, Chelsea, you look to be no older than I am. Come, get up." She nodded at the two guys to do the same. She briefly touched Chelsea's shoulder. Then for some reason, a strange look came across her face as she teetered back. Chelsea glanced at her questioningly. "Highness?" she asked. The two guys didn't notice this, for they were busy talking about something idle.
"....Nothing, it's all right," Sakura muttered. She wouldn't say this to the others, but she could feel something strange and powerful going through that girl's body... but what? It couldn't be..magic? But no, magic was evil, or so the Emperor said. But if it was. how could she, a princess, feel it? Did she have magic of her own? How was she going to hide this from her mother? From the rest of the kingdom? From Julian?
Chelsea thought about the princess' actions. Then it came to her. Sakura had magic, but didn't know how to use it.
"Majesty," she whispered, leaning in toward Sakura. "You'll need help keeping that under control. Something might go wrong."
The princess looked at the villager carefully. "What are you talking about?"
"Chelsea, His Highness might want us back in the throne room by now," Chiriko stated. He and Tomite started going back in the direction from whence they came. The two girls followed behind them, having a conversation of their own.
"What brings you all to the castle?" Sakura asked Chelsea.
The peasant girl felt embarrassed about telling this high, dignified noble about her search idea, but she didn't want to keep lying her entire life. "A friend of mine... Sir Zachary... he is missing and I want to find him in the Masque Fortress."
"Hmm...." Sakura murmured, thinking. "Masque... I know that place... but hardly anyone from Amour ever goes there anymore. There is a rumor of a crazed woman living there."
Chelsea's heart sank. "Oh..."
"But like I said, it's probably a rumor. Those come by this side of the river every five seconds."
Chelsea nodded. "So," she quipped, changing the subject, "Why are you here in Summit and not in Enigma?" Idiotic question, Chels! "I mean, I know we are all unified and everything and you don't have a reason to not be able to come to Summit, but I... oh, never mind." Don't belittle yourself more than you already did today!
Sakura laughed softly. "Relax, I'm just here to see Julian. I was running because some new flowers had bloomed in Lea, ones that had never been there before, and I was desperate to show him their beauty." She shrugged. "But they can wait," she continued. "Those things probably got trampled by horses or picked carelessly by young children by now."
Chelsea smiled good-naturedly. "Those were my doing," she whispered, making sure the boys in front of them didn't hear them.
The princess' jaw dropped slightly. "Are you serious?" she exclaimed, making sure she wasn't too loud.
The other girl nodded. "For several reason, one of which I thought Amour would need something beautiful to cheer them up..." she suddenly looked away, remember how she also did it out of depression from losing Zachary...
"They are so beautiful! You impress me, Miss Chelsea," Sakura said in an excited whisper. Then she turned more serious and added in an even softer tone, "So... is this what my magic is about?"
"So you're admitting it now?" Chelsea said good-naturedly. "It's quite similar, actually, milady. But you need to be apprenticed. You can't just go around with untrained magic. You have to learn to keep it in absolute secret, first of all. I can help you, if you'd like."
"That would be nice." Sakura was still hesitant about dealing with an outlawed practice.
"Where are you two going?" Tomite called to them. He and Chiriko were standing in front of the throne room doors again, but Chelsea and Sakura were so busy talking that they had almost gone down another hallway instead.
"Oh! Haha, silly us!" Sakura laughed as she and Chelsea hurried to Tomite and Chiriko as the doors opened again.
* * *
Nikki sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day. She was going over her and Soi's plan in her head again, making sure it wouldn't backfire for any reason.
Soi smiled down at her as she bought two fresh apples for the girl and herself. "Ready to wreak havoc today?" she asked Nikki as they pushed past the regular crowds at Massif.
"Mistress Soi..." Nikki began.
"Please, I've told you many times. Just call me Soi. We are friends, remember?" She laughed.
"Soi," the girl started again, "I don't know if I can do this... many people can get hurt... they might die."
The woman paused. "Don't you want them to feel the same pain you felt when these people accused your kind family of being hateful murderers? Of those students you've told me about? The ones who have teased you nonstop?"
It was funny that Soi would mention that, for Nikki had spotted Chiriko at that moment, walking with his sister Chelsea and a knight she had never seen before walking past them. Nikki quickly and clumsily turned away and toward the clay pots display nearby, pretending to be interested in them.
Soi didn't seem to notice Nikki's nervousness. "It may seem extreme now," she continued, "but you will see it my way soon. The pain of loneliness and loss is unbearable, isn't it?"
As smart as Nikki was, she still didn't protest against Soi. She nodded and took a somber bite out of her apple. Maybe the plan wasn't so bad. There was no one else to fight for, anyway, probably except Chiriko, but she and Soi might not even get to them. "If it's the only way," she finally replied her voice barely audible.
There was something eerie about the way the ex-knight smiled that Nikki didn't catch. "It's good that we understand each other," Soi muttered calmly.
* * *
"Ah, you three came without me calling for you," Hikitsu greeted Tomite, Chiriko, and Chelsea. He saw the princess behind them. "Oh, and you are here too, Princess."
Sakura curtsied politely. "I would like to join them in their quest." So I can at least learn about my powers, even if I won't use them" she added in her head.
Prince Julian and Sir Hotohori, who were standing nearby, only looked at her sharply. The emperor looked displeased, but didn't say anything on the contrary.
"As you have noticed, I have two knights with me. They're here to help you," Hikitsu went on, "unless Tomite doesn't agree with my choices... But Julian and Hotohori both know this land extremely well, and I think they both know who your Zachary is."
Sakura beamed excitedly at seeing Julian, but didn't make a move toward her fiancee. It would look quite out of place right now.
Tomite nodded. "I have no objections, Sire."
"Meilin should be bringing Li in here any second," Hotohori replied. "That page could use some outdoor experience. His master is healing quite fast and is currently running the smith shop again, so there isn't anything difficult for that boy."
"That's good," Sakura said. She remembered the smith and his apprentice. The latter, especially. He was coming, too? Already, the noble was starting to have a bad feeling. She remembered how she felt upon meeting him, how she was so entranced. And since both boys were going on the trip, she wasn't sure how things would turn out, since she found herself to be falling for a mopey village boy but still in love with the gentle heir to Summit's throne.
"I guess all we can do for right now is wait," Julian spoke up. Everyone else nodded. As the others congregated, Julian pulled Sakura into the corner of the room. "We need to talk," he said seriously.
Sakura nodded. She had a feeling Julian would disapprove of her coming along.
"A lady like you shouldn't be out with the men in the wilderness," Julian began. "You should be in the safe interiors of a home, Sakura. I don't want you getting hurt out there."
"What? You think that I am oblivious to that, Julian?" Sakura asked. "That I'm helpless and defenseless? I think I am capable of holding on my own."
Julian knew that was true. "Well..." he started, unable to argue. He sighed as he looked at his love. "Why do you want to go, anyway?"
In her most innocent tone, she lied, "That Chelsea girl could use another girl to talk to, besides, I hate how you're always out somewhere."
"Fine," Julian responded. "Even though I still don't want you to go..."
Sakura giggled and jumped into his arms. "Thank you!" she exclaimed.
Julian only rolled his eyes, smirking. "Just stay with us. Don't wander off. Ever."
"Of course," she replied.
* * *
"I don't know...." Li started as he followed Meilin up the stone steps of Pinnacle. "Do I really have to start training now? I mean, can't they let me finish learning how to be a blacksmith first?"
"Come on, Li," she pleaded. "This will be good for you. Staying cooped up in that little shop is not good for you. You need a breath of fresh air--"
"Hmph. That's why we have open-air markets," Li grumbled.
They both reached the front doors. A heavyset guard was standing there, still and expressionless. He most likely knew her, for he gave the raven-haired girl a nod and let the two of them pass.
"So how close are you and your cousin?" Li asked as she lead him through the same halls Chelsea, Chiriko, and Tomite had walked before.
"Me and Julian? Very close. He used to tutor me with my studies," Meilin answered. "He was pretty smart when he was in school."
"Oh..." Li didn't say anymore. He started noticing the beauty of this castle, and gaped at everything in sight. The furniture, the large portraits, the ceilings... even the doors.
Meilin noticed his awe and laughed. "That's right, I've never taken you here before, huh?" She reached the throne room and opened the door a crack. Li stood behind her, uncertain of how to act in such a place.
She opened it wider and beckoned Li to follow her in. There they found two peasants, who look to be brother and sister, a knight Li had never seen before, Sir Hotohori, Emperor Hikitsu, Prince Julian, and....
Princess Sakura.... Li thought, his eyes frozen on her.
Meilin could see the lovestruck look in his face and felt her heart sink. "Uncle," she announced pleasantly, "I'm here. Do you need me for anything else?"
"No, no, Meilin. Go on with whatever other errand you have in mind," Hikitsu replied. "We do have some superb apple turnovers. If you'd like, you could go get some from the dining area."
Well, he seemed to be in a good mood that day. She curtsied. "Will do, Uncle." She turned to leave, but before she did, she stepped up to Li, smirking inconspicuously at Sakura, and kissed him on the cheek. I will make sure nothing gets between me and Li, she vowed. "See you later," Meilin said to him, heading out the door.
Li just kind of stood there, wondering what just happened. It wasn't like her to openly kiss him like that, especially in front of royalty and more importantly, her uncle.
Sakura for a second looked kind of hurt, but shook it away. Why should she be jealous of Meilin? She had Julian. But still, she thought sadly. My heart is saying something else...
"Well," Hikitsu spoke, trying to find another topic. "The day is still young." He turned to Julian. "Show the page where all the weapons are. He needs to find a good one when we go in the morning."
Julian nodded. "Yessir. And how about Chelsea and Chiriko?"
"I'll have Chichiri show them to the guests' wing."
Chelsea almost died. She was going to actually sleep in Pinnacle Palace?! She was completely speechless.
"That's not necessary, Sire," Chiriko replied. "Don't waste your time on us--"
"Oh, no, we mustn't waste any time on you, your sister, and Li having to arrive here again later. It would be much easier if you stayed here. Don't worry, we have the proper things for you," Hikitsu explained.
"And we'll have Terada tell your parents," Julian piped up. "So that they won't worry."
"Okay, everything's good and settled," Hikitsu declared, satisfied. "I'll be in my chambers if you need me." He left.
"Let's go, Li," Julian told the page.
Li looked dismayed. He didn't want to be around Sakura's beloved prince. He could feel jealousy rising up inside of him, but he followed Julian out the door, anyway.
"Actually, we don't have to have Chichiri show you. I can do it myself," said Tomite when he, Chelsea, and Chiriko were alone again. "My room's near the guests' wing, anyway."
"Sure," said Chelsea.
So the two siblings followed the esteemed knight through many corridors, each section of the castle more beautiful than the next. Chiriko was able to keep his composure; his dear sister was not. She stopped every few seconds to gape at something. Chiriko had to pull her along most of the time, to keep her from embarrassing the both of them.
"Here we are," Tomite declared, stopping at a long, wide hallway. The wall was of white marble and the floor was of plush, maroon carpeting. A couple of servants passed through the hallway, coming in to either dust the rooms or help some of the other royal guests.
"I think all the rooms on the left are empty, if I recall," Tomite said. "So each of you may have your own room. Just holler at a maid or butler if you need anything."
"Okay," Chelsea replied absently, still amazed.
"Goddess, Chels, you should get out more often, "Chiriko whispered to her. "You seem to be getting culture shock."
"If you need me, then you can go out those glass doors, see?" The warrior pointed to a large set of doors to their right. The two kids followed his finger. "Go all the way down that stone bridge and into that hallway at the end of it," he continued, "I'm the first room on the right. I'll be going now. See you at sunrise." He waved at them and headed away.
"Sunrise is pretty early..." Chiriko groaned. "That's like five or six in the morning..." He turned to complain some more to Chelsea, but his answer was a door near him being shut. She had already disappeared into a room.
* * *
Julian took out a key from his pouch at his belt and unlocked two tall, wooden doors out in the back behind the castle. Beside him, Li sighed heavily. It was a long walk just to get there, and he was exhausted. He wondered if he'll even last a day out searching for that fortress....
Julian walked into the room. "Come, Li," he said. "This is where we store all our weapons. There are all sorts of bows, arrows, swords... anything you want." He noticed that Li was still standing outside the room. "Hey, what are you afraid of, page? Choose a weapon. Get something good."
It's not fear. It's unconditional hatred for you, bastard, Li thought as he reluctantly entered. He mentally kicked himself. That was really low. The prince didn't deserve that comment, but still, as hard as he may try, Li can't like him.
The apprentice/page wandered to where the swords were and looked all of them over. As he did so, without really thinking, he spoke up. "So, how are you and the princess doing?"
Julian seemed surprised at the question. "Oh, we're doing just fine. We are unsure of when to marry, though."
Li nodded slightly, smirking. "Cute. A prince and a princess... living happily ever after..."
Julian didn't like the younger boy's tone of voice. "Excuse me?"
Li just walked on out. "I'll stick to my Mast Axe, thank you very much." He was gone.
Julian glared after him, wondering why he was so rude. "That little pauper," he whispered angrily. He had no right to speak to a noble like that. Disrespect them, and you get exile or get put in confinement. Or if someone went far enough as to kill or something similar, then you get tortured or executed.
The prince gave Li three strikes. He used up one. If he did this twice more, then he'll be put in the dungeon, and Julian will make sure he gets the dirtiest one in the furthest corner. Li will pay....
"Oh, Goddess..." Julian murmured. Short tempers? Irrelevant punishments for small things? "I'm turning into my father..." The person he least wanted to be.
* * *
It was a clear, beautiful day, and Chelsea was in a small wooden boat, alone, rowing across a lake to Masque Fortress. It was a magnificent castle, but it was covered in shadow, leaving it in mystery. Chelsea didn't have time to admire its majesty, like she usually would for any regal place, for she was in a hurry to see...
"Zachary!" she yelled, her voice echoing throughout the forests surrounding the area. She squinted her eyes and like she expected, saw a figure in front of the castle's gates waving excitedly to her. She recognized his silver armor with the Enigman crest on it, and that beautiful sword he carried. His horse Avalanche was next to him, neighing calmly.
Chelsea rowed faster, getting more impatient by the second. When she finally reached the shore, she jumped out of the boat and into her knight's waiting arms, laughing happily.
"I've been waiting for you," Zachary said to her softly. He pulled away from her slightly, smiling. "Your love kept me hoping... and I realized how much I cared for you, too." He put his hand to her cheek and leaned in to kiss her.
Chelsea could feel her heart pumping faster as she closed in the space between them.
Unexpectedly, Zachary put his thumb on her waiting lips, stopping their would-be kiss. She looked up at him, confused.
He gave her a strange smile, and Chelsea knew something was horribly wrong. Her unasked question was answered when she vaguely heard something get unsheathed. She wanted to move so badly, but something was keeping her in place. She couldn't even move her head to look down at what he was doing. She then felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest. She gasped, the burning sensation unbearable. She still couldn't go anywhere. She moved her eyes to Zachary's face and saw an evil smile on his face. "I really do care for you, Chelsea," he told her. "But obviously, not enough."
"No!" she tried calling out, but instead, blood came out of her mouth, mixed with the tears that ran down her face. Zachary dug the sword deeper into her heart, literally tearing it apart.
She felt her breath leaving her. She was going to die. Her knees were weak, but for some reason, she stayed in the same position she was in, staring at him, unable to see what was happening to her.
Zachary pulled the sword from her, and she saw it, bloodied, but still bright and glorious. He sheathed it and stepped up to her, so that they were at the same distance as they were before.
Gasping for breath and wincing in pain, Chelsea whispered, "I love you...Zachary..."
But he didn't reply. He just snickered as he pushed her backwards into the lake.
And all Chelsea could see was water and blood mixed together as she drifted to the bottom... and Zachary staring down at her from the shore....
"Chelsea."
She opened her eyes to a male voice calling her. She found herself in her nightgown, back in her bed, sitting up, with someone's arms tightly around her. Her face was buried in his bare shoulder. "Zachary...?" she asked hopefully, her voice muffled.
"No... it's Tomite," the other person said softly. He let go of her, but kept his hands on her arms. His hair was messy from sleep and was shirtless. He wore an old-looking pair of breeches. Chelsea blushed a little, but luckily Tomite didn't notice.
"Must have been some nightmare," he guessed, judging from the tears that still stained her cheeks. He wiped them away with his sleeve.
Wait... Chelsea thought. "How did you know...?"
"That you were having a bad dream?" he finished for her. He shrugged. "I don't know, it's just... I guess, a feeling... a really strong one."
Chelsea figured that she probably just accidentally used magic to reach out to him while she was sleeping. "Oh..." was all she said.
"Do you want to tell me?" he asked.
Chelsea remembered how real the pain in her dream felt. "No... no, I'll be okay," she replied. She didn't want to remember it. She laid her head against her pillow. "I'll be going back to sleep now," she said. She didn't really want to, but her eyes suddenly felt really heavy.
Tomite stood up but didn't leave the room. "I'll stay here." He smiled at her. "Just in case. We still have a couple more hours to kill, anyway."
Chelsea didn't object. She was too tired. The villager turned to her side and fell into a deep, dreamless, but more peaceful sleep.
* * *
So there they were. The group of nobles and one village girl on their way to search for a missing knight who might even be dead. But that peasant girl was so certain that he was alive that they had to believe her.
Tomite, Chiriko, Li, Prince Julian, Hotohori, as well as Princess Sakura, and of course, Chelsea, were getting ready to leave Pinnacle Palace for the journey to the mysterious castle near Porcelain.
"I'm not sure about this trip," Sakura told Chelsea that morning as they watched the males saddle up their horses.
"What if you release some magic you can't control, my lady?" the other replied. "What will you do then? The Emperor will surely execute you, even if you were promised to his son. If you stick with me, I can teach you how to keep the magic under wraps."
Sakura frowned. She still didn't want to go out in the wilderness. She has never been there without an entourage of guards, but the only thing she can do is trust the villager.
"Let's go!" Julian exclaimed, helping Sakura mount Tornado. He climbed up behind her.
"Chelsea, you're riding with me," Tomite said, beckoning the girl over.
Li and Chiriko, being male, rode their own horses, Echo and the siblings' horse, Ciel. A lady was supposed to have a man ride with her as opposed to having her own horse, unless she was a warrior, like Soi.
Tomite put Chelsea on his rusty-colored horse, Autumnfire. "How was your sleep?" he whispered to her as he mounted.
"Not bad," she answered, grinning. After her second sleep, worries about her bad dream were gone. Now her heart was filled with determination. Zachary, here I come!
Julian and Sakura and Tomite and Chelsea were the ones to lead the group. Chiriko and Li were settled in the middle, and Hotohori upon Siren, brought up the rear. Together, they all set foot toward the bridge leading to southeast of the river.
* * *
A violet-haired woman sauntered that morning from her chambers to the main hallway of her abode. "Come on, everyone!" she called to her many servants. "I have a feeling we will be having guests today. This place is filthy! We haven't had visitors in so long! Oh, I'll even help clean!" She started rushing for a mop for the dirty floors in the lobby.
An upset servant trudged past her. "But ma'am, how would you know there would be people coming? You haven't used your magic in so long..."
"I just know," was the reply. She pushed her waist-length braid from her shoulder. "Now, we have a lot to do. Get to it. You can start by helping in the kitchen."
The servant sighed and walked slowly away, giving her a lazy wave. The woman took no notice of the mopey boy and continued with her errand.
* * *
It had been nearly five hours of traveling. The place was certainly hard to find. Tall, bushy trees in the south hid everything from view. They covered up more sunlight than the ones in Engima did.
When Chelsea spotted the lake up ahead, she rejoiced. She was the only one with enough energy to do so, for everyone else was exhausted from the trip.
During the trip, when they took their hourly rests, Hotohori and Tomite would take time to help Li in weapon-fighting, while Julian and Chiriko sat around near where the horses were settled, talking about current events. Sakura and Chelsea sneaked off into the thick woods and worked on Sakura's magic, which Chelsea was proud to say, was improving a lot in just a short amount of time. Now the princess could scrye in a pool of water, feel the emotions and thoughts of some of the smaller animals, and cast a simple barrier spell.
But it wasn't all teaching and learning. The two would sidetrack every once in a while, gossiping about some person in some village. They were becoming fast friends.
Li had trouble paying attention to his training. There Hotohori was, trying to give him tips on maneuvering his spear, but he kept drifting off. He could sort of hear Tomite scolding him, but he just didn't want to pay attention at the moment. He wondered where Sakura went. Meilin didn't even come to mind.
So, now they had reached their destination. Everyone stopped at the edge of the lake. Tomite and Chelsea dismounted.
"Oh, how are we going to get across?" Chelsea asked sadly. "The water doesn't look that shallow..."
"There has to be a way," Tomite said, looking around for a boat or something..
"Hey, look!" Hotohori cried from his horse. He pointed far across the river. There, a large boat was drifting toward them, just enough for the seven of them.
"It looks like these people have been expecting us," Julian concluded. "Seems eerie." He and the others hopped off their horses and tied their reins to some nearby trees.
The boat arrived, wading in the soft currents of the lake as it traveled to the journers. Everyone just kind of looked at each other, looked at the boat, and, seeing that it seemed safe enough, loaded into the thing, still wary.
* * *
Nikki really didn't know what Soi was doing. She followed as the ex- knight hastily went through the woods. The girl knew this wasn't really part of their plan...
"Believe me, Nikki, I know what we're doing," Soi said to her, as if reading her mind. "This is just a little extension of our plan."
"Okay," Nikki replied, not really thinking about it.
They reached the end of the forest. Soi leaned her back against one of the trees, trying to conceal herself. Her accomplice did the same, although she didn't know why, until she heard faint voices. She took a quick peek and saw that Chiriko was part of a group of nobles muttering amongst themselves, getting on a big rowboat.
Nikki felt her face grow warm and turned away quickly. What was he doing here? Is he going to fall for whatever scheme Soi randomly came up with? What's going to happen? All these thoughts ran through her mind. In her heart, she knew that she certainly didn't want to hurt Chiriko, but at the same time, her mind told her that this would be vengeance for his teasing, for all those times he made her feel an inch tall. And being the intellectual person she was, Nikki chose to follow her brain rather than her emotions.
"Come, we can wait for them out here," Soi called as the passengers on the boated rowed out of sight. She walked up to one of the horses, Siren, and petted her muzzle. The horse whinnied in protest, as if sensing the evil in Soi. "Oh, you stupid horse, I'm not going to do anything to you," Soi scolded her.
Nikki just sat down just outside the woods, feeling dazed. She hadn't seen Chiriko in forever, and she couldn't get over that he looked different... more grown up. She could tell that he had gotten taller and that his voice was a little deeper. His light brown hair had been cut short to make him look more his age. She could have sworn that he was getting muscles. He should almost be fifteen by now.
Nikki realized that her heart was beating fast. She took deep breaths, slowing her heartrate down. Why was she getting so worked up over Chiriko, anyway? He deserved to be "destroyed", as Soi put it. "What are we going to do, Soi?" Nikki asked.
"Hm?" Soi looked up from petting Autumnfire. "Oh, something very subtle to spark something big. It requires a little acting on both our parts."
The fourteen-year-old nodded.
"It doesn't stray far from what you planned," Soi said. "It's just in a different setting, that's all."
"It doesn't," Nikki agreed. She looked away absently. She still didn't feel that this was right, even though she told herself it was.
* * *
"Do you think Zachary is really there in Masque?" Julian asked Chelsea as Hotohori and Tomite manned the oars.
"I certainly hope so," Chelsea replied. She was starting to have doubts. What was everyone going to say if he wasn't there? They took this trip for nothing?
They reached a dock on the other side. Everyone piled out of the boat and stared up at the beautiful Masque Fortress. A cobblestone path led to two magnificent black marble doors with silver door handles. The building itself was made out of that same black marble, with some moss growing on the side to indicate its age. There were two round towers at both end of the castle, each with a small, single oval-shaped window and a black, cone- shaped roof.
"A castle... with black marble..." Sakura murmured as the group walked down the winding path. "Very impressive..."
"It is," Chelsea agreed.
None of the journers had to knock on the door when they reached it, for someone had burst through it. Everybody jumped back in surprise. At the door was a beautiful, smiling purple-haired woman in a flowing, lavender dress, with a fan in her hand to match. "So, you've finally come," she said in a smooth, alto voice. "I knew you all would show up. We prepared for your arrival."
"You have?" Hotohori questioned, surprised. "Are you the owner of the castle?"
"Yes, I am. The person who owned this place before me was Count... oh, I forgot his name. But I bought it after that poor soul died."
"May I ask your name, ma'am?" Tomite asked politely.
"Of course, you need my name! How rude of me! I'm Countess Nuriko, and this is my extravagant abode." She gestured to the front lobby, where a regal double staircase was. The steps had violet carpeting and a golden serpent statuette at the middle banister's end. On either side of the stairs were two wide hallways with sparkling chandeliers on the ceilings.
"This is a marvelous place," Julian commented.
"Thank you," said Nuriko. "Now if you follow me, we will talk. I may have known that you were coming, but I don't know exactly why."
The countess led them into the dining area, a spacious, glorious room with a long white table, a beautiful chandelier, and a bouquet of white roses in a transparent vase. The walls were adorned with different shields of unknown knights. The Amourites took time to stare while Nuriko ordered some servants to get them some cake.
"None of this is necessary, madam," Tomite spoke up.
"Nonsense. I didn't make them bake these desserts for nothing."
All of them sat down. Julian and Sakura next to each other, Li between her and Hotohori. Chiriko was positioned across from Julian, next to his sister Chelsea. Tomite sat beside the teenage girl, and Nuriko took the seat at the head of the table, for it was her home after all.
"Where do you get these shields, Countess Nuriko?" Chelsea asked meekly.
"Hm? Those ol' things?," Nuriko asked. "Oh, I don't know. They were still here when the owner before me, the first one ever, to be exact, passed away. Maybe he had been a knight and had friends from distant lands who were knights... or maybe he just likes collecting them..."
"She talks a lot, no?" Hotohori whispered to Li, who nodded slowly.
"But anyway," the countess went on as the servants came by with the cakes, "What brings you here? Looking for something?"
That's when the entire table looked at Chelsea. Nuriko did too, wondering why everyone else did.
Chelsea cleared her throat and blushed, feeling very self-conscious. "Um, well..." Her face colored even more. She didn't like everybody staring at her. "There's..."
"There's a missing knight from our empire," Tomite finished for her. "He was a close friend of ours and we were hoping he had possibly ended up here."
The braided girl sighed with relief as the others turned their attention elsewhere.
"Sorry, but you seven are my first guests... ever," Nuriko said sadly. "And I doubt he would be able to sneak in. There are only two doors. And plus, my psychic powers would've sensed his presence."
Everyone exchanged glances at the mention of magic powers, but since Masque technically didn't belong to Amour, they all silently agreed not to say
He's not here, Chelsea thought sadly. Her vision started to blur. It was hopeless. Where could he be? She refused to believe he was dead... even if it were true. But, Fortuna... where is my Zachary?
"Oh, I'm sorry, Chels," Sakura said sympathetically, feeling for her friend.
Chelsea felt someone grab her hand underneath the table. She froze. She knew for sure that it wasn't her brother. Tomite... she thought absently. It made her feel better, so she successfully dried her tears. Then the villager squeezed his hand as a thank-you and let go. Even though they had known each other for barely two days, she trusted him completely. He had been so good to her and Chiriko...
"So, what now?" Julian asked. "If Zachary isn't here, where else could he have gone?"
"Yeah, he could be anywhere," said Chiriko.
Nuriko thought about it. "Well..." she began, "there is this Elvish settlement, but it's really hard to find. You won't see it on any map. I don't even know the name of it. Who knows if it even really exists or not?"
"But there has to be a way," Chelsea declared. She wasn't going to give up on him so easily. "Do you know anything about this Elvish place?"
"What do I know?" Nuriko pursed her lips together. "Not much... some people claim that the elves who live there are advanced in technology and magic... but I don't know if they have taken in any stray travelers. Also, I don't know where it is..."
Julian stood up and bowed to Nuriko. "We don't have much to do here anymore," he said, "but thank you for your time and attention."
"Oh, it's no problem, Your Majesty," the countess replied.
"Wha--? How did you know I was--?" The prince was taken aback.
Nuriko winked. "I just do." She watched as the rest of the group started getting up from their seats. "Hold it. Don't tell me you are all leaving already."
"Ma'am, we have more than enough information to continue our journey," Sakura said to her. "We thank you for everything."
"Don't be in such a hurry," Nuriko responded. "Feel free to wander around the fortress if you care to. This used to be a fort when invaders from another land attacked Chalice and causing its downfall."
"I know that story," spoke up Hotohori. "And after the downfall, those foreigners fought onward until... the elves came. Then they gave the land back to the surviving people and they rebuilt it, naming it New Chalice..."
"So, anyway," Nuriko quipped, smiling. "Go ahead and look around. Don't get lost, though. I'll see you all again someday." And with that, she walked away to her chambers, a couple of maids following behind.
Everyone did as they were told and began touring Masque. Sakura left Julian's side to go wander by herself. Li took this opportunity to catch up with her. He had been silent the entire time they were all at the table. It was in Li's nature to do so. He wasn't much of a talker in groups. He was more into one-on-one conversations. Like now.
He touched her shoulder. "Princess..."
She turned to face him slowly. "Oh... Apprentice Boy..."
He smiled slightly. "I have a name. It's Li."
She turned red. "Oh, I'm sorry. I do remember you told me that a while back." She was embarrassed. How could she forget this handsome boy's name?
"How are you?" he questioned, stepping forward, closing the space between them.
Sakura continued to blush. "I'm fine..." Why is my heart beating so fast? she thought in wonder. Why do I feel so hot all of a sudden? "How about you? I hope your knight-training is going well."
"It is, I guess," he replied. He noticed that Sakura's face was a deep pink color. "Why are you blushing?" he teased, smirking.
"What?!" She whirled around so Li wouldn't see her. "I wasn't blushing. I was just feeling a bit feverish, what with our all-day trek and all.."
Li playfully grabbed her by shoulders and made her face him. "It's me, isn't it?" he joked. "You think I'm quite the gentleman, huh?"
Sakura suddenly realized that his hands had moved to her waist. She was practically in his arms now. She just stared up at him, that same feeling she had back in the village when she first me him entrancing her. She knew he was feeling the same, for she could feel his heart pounding. "Actually," she started softly, "I think you are." That's when she leaned into him and kissed him, her hands grabbing part of his tunic. Li pulled her closer and kissed back, not thinking about the possibility of Julian seeing them.
Oh, no, Sakura thought, and suddenly pushed Li away from her. He looked down at her questioningly. "I can't betray Julian," she told him apologetically. "And I don't think you'd want to betray Meilin." She glanced down at the promise ring on her finger
The apprentice closed his eyes, touching the necklace around his neck. That's right... Meilin... "Yeah..." he murmured. "But--" he opened his eyes. "I can't help this, you know? I'm falling for you..."
She grabbed his hand and held it. "And so am I... but... it's just not meant to be..."
Julian came around the corner and saw his Sakura holding that page's hand. He narrowed his eyes. Strike two. He was about to walk forward and give them a piece of his mind... but then abruptly decided not to. Julian went back out of sight and walked around the corner again, pretending not to suspect anything. "Sakura, love," he called. "We are all leaving now."
The princess jumped and dropped Li's hand. She hadn't expected him to come by. Li gulped and looked away.
"Come on," Julian stated, beckoning the two.
Sakura sighed. "I hope he doesn't suspect anything. Let's go, Li." She and the brunette started following the prince.
* * *
"His Majesty said that we were going to the Summit library to research before we do any more of our search parties," Tomite was saying to Chelsea, Chiriko, and Hotohori as they loaded the boat.
"That's good," Hotohori replied. "It will make things a lot easier."
Julian, Sakura, and Li arrived then and loaded, too. "Let's head back to Pinnacle," Julian declared. And so the group did.
As they rowed on and came closer to the land opposite Masque, they were aware that there was someone waiting for them. Li, who sat in the front, leaned forward and squinted his eyes. "Who could that over there be?" he pondered out loud.
"They don't look to be on our side," Chiriko remarked from behind him.
Nothing more was said, since they were still too far to come to any valid conclusion.
"Hey... that girl looks familiar," Chelsea suddenly said from the middle of the rowboat, pointing to a dark-haired person on her right. She stood straight, with her chin up, expectantly.
Chiriko came to a realization as he followed his sister's finger, feeling sick to his stomach. He stared wide-eyed at the girl standing near the horses. It couldn't be her. But... those glasses, the straight dark hair, that black dress she always wore... "It's Nikki, dammit!" he cried. "What is she doing all the way out here?"
"Oh... a classmate of yours..." Chelsea responded, recognizing her. "Nikki... didn't you tell me you couldn't stand her?"
Chiriko didn't say anything. He couldn't figure out why she was there, but he had a feeling that it wasn't anything good.
"What could she want?" Julian wondered. Sakura shrugged. Tomite and Hotohori didn't say anything; they were busy rowing the boat.
* * *
Nikki stood emotionlessly and watched as the boat came closer to her, keeping the scheme in mind. Fool the Summit royalty into thinking that Enigma was in charge of some kind of conspiracy against them. This would fuel a civil war, and Soi's revenge will be satisfied. Then both kingdoms will fall, and Soi will make sure that she take over the land and rule her new kingdom.
The Amourites docked and got out of the boat. She tried not to notice how good Chiriko looked now as he came running up to her.
"Hey..." he greeted. "What's up with you? What are you doing out here?"
This was when Nikki launched into the act she had rehearsed with Soi, who by this time had hidden herself in the forest. She didn't want to blow her cover of the innocent, amnesia-stricken ex-warrior. Nikki forced her body to begin shaking all over, as if she had just seen something terrible. "Don't come near me!" she said as Chiriko got closer to her.
He stopped a few paces away, puzzled. But then he remembered how terribly he had treated her back in school, and figured she had a reason for not wanting to speak to him. "Nikki, look. I'm sorry for the way I acted at school."
""Who said anything about school? " she stopped him. "Besides, that was nothing compared to what you've done this time."
"This time?" Chiriko cocked his head to the side in confusion.
"The beast, the ambush.
"Beast, ambush? Nikki, what in the world are you talking about?"
"I saw it, Chiriko! I saw a horrible monster roaming this part of the forest just now, and it was heading out to fields, were you all would be traveling right now if I hadn't been able to stop you here and warn you."
The truth was that Soi had summoned the aforementioned beast earlier, and set him wandering in the direction of the lake. She had said its name was Ashitare.
"So.you think that I had something to do with this monster?" Chiriko asked
"Why else would you be traipsing around the countryside with so many Summit nobles?"
"We were visiting Masque Fortress."
Nikki made her eyes go wide at the mention of the place. "Masque?!" she asked in a horrified voice.
Chiriko shrugged, not really seeing a problem with it. "It was my sister's idea," he said, pointing towards Chelsea "Miss Chelsea, why on earth would you take some of Summit's most beloved noblemen out to Masque, the home of a crazy old woman who uses magic? " Nikki lowered her voice on the last word, to emphasize the fact that magic was forbidden in Amour, and Chelsea had led everyone straight into a den of it.
"First of all, she's not crazy," Chelsea replied calmly.
"Yes, that's right," Sakura spoke up. "I had heard that rumor, but now that I've met the owner in person, I know that she is perfectly sane."
"Answer the question, Chelsea." Nikki said, ignoring Sakura and still staring straight at Chelsea, who had no answer.
By this time, however, everyone knew the basic story of Sir Zachary, even if they didn't know the whole truth behind it, and several people started to answer at once.
"Let her answer me, if she can."
"You heard what they said, Nikki. We're simply trying to find a missing knight."
"But why not take Enigma nobles. You're from Enigma. Zachary was from Enigma. Why go out of your way by getting Summit nobles to follow you to Masque?"
"Well, I - I didn't know any Enigma nobility, and Chiriko knew Tomite, so."
Luckily for Nikki, Soi was able to use her magic to see into other people's minds. She had done it with Tasuki during the Day War, and she did it with Chelsea now. She looked into Chelsea's memories, and sent a telepathic message to Nikki of what she had found.
"Chelsea, you didn't know that Chiriko knew Tomite when you went to Summit. He had just as much chance as knowing a Summit noble as you did an Enigman, but you still made the long journey to a whole different kingdom to recruit an escort instead of taking the simple trip down to your own castle. Why? What were you hoping to gain? Other than possible injury to your enemy kingdom, I mean." "I never said Summit was an enemy to Enigma!" Chelsea was getting angry with Nikki's implications. However, she knew that she didn't have an answer for Nikki's question. She really didn't know why she had gone to Pinnacle Palace when it would have been much easier to go to Sanctuary. In her fervor to find Zachary, she hadn't even thought about it. She was so anxious to believe that Chiriko might know someone in Summit, but how she regretted her rashness now! "You didn't have to. I saw for myself what you were planning to lead them into." "There you go again with that ambush nonsense," Chiriko said. "Don't you think if we had planned an ambush, it would've sprung by now?"
At that moment, the Princess Sakura screamed and pointed a shaking finger to a spot behind Nikki's head. Nikki whirled around and everyone else followed her gaze, seeing a hunched, slavering creature about a hundred paces off. It had the body of a man but the face and fur of a wolf. Its glowing red eyes stared directly at the group. "That's the beast!" she shouted as the men drew their weapons. "The beast you peasant Enigmans sent from the depths of your dark forests to attack my country's dear ones!" By this time, Ashitare, attracted by all the commotion, had started running towards them, half of the time on two legs, and half of the time on four. It moved alarmingly fast for such a large animal, and reached the group much sooner than any of them would have expected. Chelsea readied her magic just in case, even though she really did not want to have to use it right here in front of everybody. She saw the monster headed straight for the Prince, who was somewhat occupied with the Princess cowering behind him. In a few seconds it would be on him.
"Prince Julian, watch out!" she shouted, and shot a small flash of magic his way, hoping nobody would notice were it came from. She was just in time, for a barrier sprang up between Julian and the beast with only a few inches to spare. But the moment Ashitare collided with the wall, a brilliant white light flashed, and he disappeared. The stunned Amourites all looked each other in amazement. Julian still stood with his sword raised in front of him. "Occultist! Black mage!" Nikki started shrieking and pointing at Chelsea, her pitch rising with every word. Then she turned to the prince. "Your Highness, that girl sent her creature after you, then, once she was discovered, used FORBIDDEN ARTS to make it seem like she had saved your life."
Chelsea looked frantically from Julian to Sakura to Hotohori to Tomite. "How can you believe such nonsense?! Your Highnesses?!"
Sakura softened. "Chelsea..." She turned to her fiancee. "Julian, can't we--?"
Under normal circumstances, Julian would have thought things over rationally. He would have remembered that he didn't really mind people using magic. But a lot had happened to him today. First it was all day trek in the hot sun, then not finding anything at the end of that trek. Then he comes to find out that some upstart peasant boy was trying to steal Sakura away, and succeeding. And now, someone was out for his life. None of this put him in a very rational or forgiving mood.
"No, Sakura." he replied sternly. "I've had enough of these Engimans." He gripped Sakura's shoulder tightly, but not enough to hurt her.
"Julian... I'm an Enigman," Sakura protested, removing his hands from her. "How about me?"
He looked down at her. "You don't count. I've known you for a long time, so I know I can trust you, but those three.." He looked at Chelsea, Chiriko, and Li.
Chiriko glanced at Nikki sadly. "Nikki..." he began. "You can't be serious...."
Nikki wished she never heard those words. It wasn't what he said, but how he said it that made her feel horrible. But she would never let anyone see that. "Traitors..." she only hissed.
"We aren't traitors!" Chelsea argued. "How can you believe this one girl when you have been out with the three of us?!" Tomite... don't you believe me...? Tomite?"
The knight turned away with a scornful look on his face.
She felt a pang in her heart she never expected to feel. "No, Tomite...not you, too...." she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Blinking them away, she walked over to Chiriko. "Well, we had better go. We must respect His Highness' wishes."
"I'll come with you," Li said, giving Julian a death glare over his shoulder. And so, the three of them mounted their horses and rode away, feeling like they had just been run out of town on a rail. Everyone else stood completely silent, watching their retreating forms fade into the forest.
Sakura stared at the empty air where the three once stood. Then she turned angrily to Julian. "Are you happy?! Happy that you did exactly what your father would've done?!"
The prince was so offended at her words. "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" he shot back. "And don't you dare compare me to my bastard father!"
"Don't say such filthy words!"
While the two argued, Hotohori slumped against a nearby tree near Siren. He glanced at the upset-looking Tomite. "Is something wrong?" he asked him.
Tomite patted Autumnfire idly and closed his eyes briefly in thought. Chelsea...."Nothing..." he replied quietly.
****************************
A/N: Booyaka! (To quote Selphie from FFVIII) Another chapter done! I hope we put some separate things together.... or at least tried to. Aeris and I are trying so HARD to make this story work!!! Please make us feel good by reviewing! ^___^;;; === exhausted from all the labor of thinking too much and smacking the computer...
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CARMINA BURANA ~ CHAPTER 6
WERE DIU WERLT ALLE MIN
(WERE THE WORLD ALL MINE)
By Elcyion Pitye and *Aeris Tiniel Mirime*
**********************************
"So, how old are you, Chelsea?" Tomite asked her as he, she, and Chiriko wandered the posh hallways of Pinnacle Palace.
"Oh, I'm sixteen," she replied shyly, still feeling like such a filthy, idiotic peasant girl with no morals.
The eighteen-year-old knight nodded. "You are of the right age to be finding a suitor..."
The siblings shot him surprised looks. "Umm..." Chiriko started, unable to think of anything right to say. His sister blushed profusely, pretending to be marveled by the portraits of the king's ancestors on the wall next to her.
A short-haired girl in a flowing, silk dress suddenly came running from the opposite direction and crashed into Chelsea, both falling to the floor.
"Oh, my, I'm terribly sorry," said the pretty voice of the girl. Tomite helped her up.
Chiriko helped Chelsea up. Chelsea muttered a sorry and readjusted her peasant skirt. She looked up at the person she crashed into, and realized that it was the heir to Empress Subaru's throne, Princess Sakura.
She immediately fell to her knees and bowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness..." Tomite and Chiriko chuckled at Chelsea's frantic apology and then bent down on their knees out of respect.
"Oh, get up, get up," Sakura insisted to them all. "It's all right, um..."
"Chelsea, Your Highness."
"Hah, Chelsea, you look to be no older than I am. Come, get up." She nodded at the two guys to do the same. She briefly touched Chelsea's shoulder. Then for some reason, a strange look came across her face as she teetered back. Chelsea glanced at her questioningly. "Highness?" she asked. The two guys didn't notice this, for they were busy talking about something idle.
"....Nothing, it's all right," Sakura muttered. She wouldn't say this to the others, but she could feel something strange and powerful going through that girl's body... but what? It couldn't be..magic? But no, magic was evil, or so the Emperor said. But if it was. how could she, a princess, feel it? Did she have magic of her own? How was she going to hide this from her mother? From the rest of the kingdom? From Julian?
Chelsea thought about the princess' actions. Then it came to her. Sakura had magic, but didn't know how to use it.
"Majesty," she whispered, leaning in toward Sakura. "You'll need help keeping that under control. Something might go wrong."
The princess looked at the villager carefully. "What are you talking about?"
"Chelsea, His Highness might want us back in the throne room by now," Chiriko stated. He and Tomite started going back in the direction from whence they came. The two girls followed behind them, having a conversation of their own.
"What brings you all to the castle?" Sakura asked Chelsea.
The peasant girl felt embarrassed about telling this high, dignified noble about her search idea, but she didn't want to keep lying her entire life. "A friend of mine... Sir Zachary... he is missing and I want to find him in the Masque Fortress."
"Hmm...." Sakura murmured, thinking. "Masque... I know that place... but hardly anyone from Amour ever goes there anymore. There is a rumor of a crazed woman living there."
Chelsea's heart sank. "Oh..."
"But like I said, it's probably a rumor. Those come by this side of the river every five seconds."
Chelsea nodded. "So," she quipped, changing the subject, "Why are you here in Summit and not in Enigma?" Idiotic question, Chels! "I mean, I know we are all unified and everything and you don't have a reason to not be able to come to Summit, but I... oh, never mind." Don't belittle yourself more than you already did today!
Sakura laughed softly. "Relax, I'm just here to see Julian. I was running because some new flowers had bloomed in Lea, ones that had never been there before, and I was desperate to show him their beauty." She shrugged. "But they can wait," she continued. "Those things probably got trampled by horses or picked carelessly by young children by now."
Chelsea smiled good-naturedly. "Those were my doing," she whispered, making sure the boys in front of them didn't hear them.
The princess' jaw dropped slightly. "Are you serious?" she exclaimed, making sure she wasn't too loud.
The other girl nodded. "For several reason, one of which I thought Amour would need something beautiful to cheer them up..." she suddenly looked away, remember how she also did it out of depression from losing Zachary...
"They are so beautiful! You impress me, Miss Chelsea," Sakura said in an excited whisper. Then she turned more serious and added in an even softer tone, "So... is this what my magic is about?"
"So you're admitting it now?" Chelsea said good-naturedly. "It's quite similar, actually, milady. But you need to be apprenticed. You can't just go around with untrained magic. You have to learn to keep it in absolute secret, first of all. I can help you, if you'd like."
"That would be nice." Sakura was still hesitant about dealing with an outlawed practice.
"Where are you two going?" Tomite called to them. He and Chiriko were standing in front of the throne room doors again, but Chelsea and Sakura were so busy talking that they had almost gone down another hallway instead.
"Oh! Haha, silly us!" Sakura laughed as she and Chelsea hurried to Tomite and Chiriko as the doors opened again.
* * *
Nikki sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day. She was going over her and Soi's plan in her head again, making sure it wouldn't backfire for any reason.
Soi smiled down at her as she bought two fresh apples for the girl and herself. "Ready to wreak havoc today?" she asked Nikki as they pushed past the regular crowds at Massif.
"Mistress Soi..." Nikki began.
"Please, I've told you many times. Just call me Soi. We are friends, remember?" She laughed.
"Soi," the girl started again, "I don't know if I can do this... many people can get hurt... they might die."
The woman paused. "Don't you want them to feel the same pain you felt when these people accused your kind family of being hateful murderers? Of those students you've told me about? The ones who have teased you nonstop?"
It was funny that Soi would mention that, for Nikki had spotted Chiriko at that moment, walking with his sister Chelsea and a knight she had never seen before walking past them. Nikki quickly and clumsily turned away and toward the clay pots display nearby, pretending to be interested in them.
Soi didn't seem to notice Nikki's nervousness. "It may seem extreme now," she continued, "but you will see it my way soon. The pain of loneliness and loss is unbearable, isn't it?"
As smart as Nikki was, she still didn't protest against Soi. She nodded and took a somber bite out of her apple. Maybe the plan wasn't so bad. There was no one else to fight for, anyway, probably except Chiriko, but she and Soi might not even get to them. "If it's the only way," she finally replied her voice barely audible.
There was something eerie about the way the ex-knight smiled that Nikki didn't catch. "It's good that we understand each other," Soi muttered calmly.
* * *
"Ah, you three came without me calling for you," Hikitsu greeted Tomite, Chiriko, and Chelsea. He saw the princess behind them. "Oh, and you are here too, Princess."
Sakura curtsied politely. "I would like to join them in their quest." So I can at least learn about my powers, even if I won't use them" she added in her head.
Prince Julian and Sir Hotohori, who were standing nearby, only looked at her sharply. The emperor looked displeased, but didn't say anything on the contrary.
"As you have noticed, I have two knights with me. They're here to help you," Hikitsu went on, "unless Tomite doesn't agree with my choices... But Julian and Hotohori both know this land extremely well, and I think they both know who your Zachary is."
Sakura beamed excitedly at seeing Julian, but didn't make a move toward her fiancee. It would look quite out of place right now.
Tomite nodded. "I have no objections, Sire."
"Meilin should be bringing Li in here any second," Hotohori replied. "That page could use some outdoor experience. His master is healing quite fast and is currently running the smith shop again, so there isn't anything difficult for that boy."
"That's good," Sakura said. She remembered the smith and his apprentice. The latter, especially. He was coming, too? Already, the noble was starting to have a bad feeling. She remembered how she felt upon meeting him, how she was so entranced. And since both boys were going on the trip, she wasn't sure how things would turn out, since she found herself to be falling for a mopey village boy but still in love with the gentle heir to Summit's throne.
"I guess all we can do for right now is wait," Julian spoke up. Everyone else nodded. As the others congregated, Julian pulled Sakura into the corner of the room. "We need to talk," he said seriously.
Sakura nodded. She had a feeling Julian would disapprove of her coming along.
"A lady like you shouldn't be out with the men in the wilderness," Julian began. "You should be in the safe interiors of a home, Sakura. I don't want you getting hurt out there."
"What? You think that I am oblivious to that, Julian?" Sakura asked. "That I'm helpless and defenseless? I think I am capable of holding on my own."
Julian knew that was true. "Well..." he started, unable to argue. He sighed as he looked at his love. "Why do you want to go, anyway?"
In her most innocent tone, she lied, "That Chelsea girl could use another girl to talk to, besides, I hate how you're always out somewhere."
"Fine," Julian responded. "Even though I still don't want you to go..."
Sakura giggled and jumped into his arms. "Thank you!" she exclaimed.
Julian only rolled his eyes, smirking. "Just stay with us. Don't wander off. Ever."
"Of course," she replied.
* * *
"I don't know...." Li started as he followed Meilin up the stone steps of Pinnacle. "Do I really have to start training now? I mean, can't they let me finish learning how to be a blacksmith first?"
"Come on, Li," she pleaded. "This will be good for you. Staying cooped up in that little shop is not good for you. You need a breath of fresh air--"
"Hmph. That's why we have open-air markets," Li grumbled.
They both reached the front doors. A heavyset guard was standing there, still and expressionless. He most likely knew her, for he gave the raven-haired girl a nod and let the two of them pass.
"So how close are you and your cousin?" Li asked as she lead him through the same halls Chelsea, Chiriko, and Tomite had walked before.
"Me and Julian? Very close. He used to tutor me with my studies," Meilin answered. "He was pretty smart when he was in school."
"Oh..." Li didn't say anymore. He started noticing the beauty of this castle, and gaped at everything in sight. The furniture, the large portraits, the ceilings... even the doors.
Meilin noticed his awe and laughed. "That's right, I've never taken you here before, huh?" She reached the throne room and opened the door a crack. Li stood behind her, uncertain of how to act in such a place.
She opened it wider and beckoned Li to follow her in. There they found two peasants, who look to be brother and sister, a knight Li had never seen before, Sir Hotohori, Emperor Hikitsu, Prince Julian, and....
Princess Sakura.... Li thought, his eyes frozen on her.
Meilin could see the lovestruck look in his face and felt her heart sink. "Uncle," she announced pleasantly, "I'm here. Do you need me for anything else?"
"No, no, Meilin. Go on with whatever other errand you have in mind," Hikitsu replied. "We do have some superb apple turnovers. If you'd like, you could go get some from the dining area."
Well, he seemed to be in a good mood that day. She curtsied. "Will do, Uncle." She turned to leave, but before she did, she stepped up to Li, smirking inconspicuously at Sakura, and kissed him on the cheek. I will make sure nothing gets between me and Li, she vowed. "See you later," Meilin said to him, heading out the door.
Li just kind of stood there, wondering what just happened. It wasn't like her to openly kiss him like that, especially in front of royalty and more importantly, her uncle.
Sakura for a second looked kind of hurt, but shook it away. Why should she be jealous of Meilin? She had Julian. But still, she thought sadly. My heart is saying something else...
"Well," Hikitsu spoke, trying to find another topic. "The day is still young." He turned to Julian. "Show the page where all the weapons are. He needs to find a good one when we go in the morning."
Julian nodded. "Yessir. And how about Chelsea and Chiriko?"
"I'll have Chichiri show them to the guests' wing."
Chelsea almost died. She was going to actually sleep in Pinnacle Palace?! She was completely speechless.
"That's not necessary, Sire," Chiriko replied. "Don't waste your time on us--"
"Oh, no, we mustn't waste any time on you, your sister, and Li having to arrive here again later. It would be much easier if you stayed here. Don't worry, we have the proper things for you," Hikitsu explained.
"And we'll have Terada tell your parents," Julian piped up. "So that they won't worry."
"Okay, everything's good and settled," Hikitsu declared, satisfied. "I'll be in my chambers if you need me." He left.
"Let's go, Li," Julian told the page.
Li looked dismayed. He didn't want to be around Sakura's beloved prince. He could feel jealousy rising up inside of him, but he followed Julian out the door, anyway.
"Actually, we don't have to have Chichiri show you. I can do it myself," said Tomite when he, Chelsea, and Chiriko were alone again. "My room's near the guests' wing, anyway."
"Sure," said Chelsea.
So the two siblings followed the esteemed knight through many corridors, each section of the castle more beautiful than the next. Chiriko was able to keep his composure; his dear sister was not. She stopped every few seconds to gape at something. Chiriko had to pull her along most of the time, to keep her from embarrassing the both of them.
"Here we are," Tomite declared, stopping at a long, wide hallway. The wall was of white marble and the floor was of plush, maroon carpeting. A couple of servants passed through the hallway, coming in to either dust the rooms or help some of the other royal guests.
"I think all the rooms on the left are empty, if I recall," Tomite said. "So each of you may have your own room. Just holler at a maid or butler if you need anything."
"Okay," Chelsea replied absently, still amazed.
"Goddess, Chels, you should get out more often, "Chiriko whispered to her. "You seem to be getting culture shock."
"If you need me, then you can go out those glass doors, see?" The warrior pointed to a large set of doors to their right. The two kids followed his finger. "Go all the way down that stone bridge and into that hallway at the end of it," he continued, "I'm the first room on the right. I'll be going now. See you at sunrise." He waved at them and headed away.
"Sunrise is pretty early..." Chiriko groaned. "That's like five or six in the morning..." He turned to complain some more to Chelsea, but his answer was a door near him being shut. She had already disappeared into a room.
* * *
Julian took out a key from his pouch at his belt and unlocked two tall, wooden doors out in the back behind the castle. Beside him, Li sighed heavily. It was a long walk just to get there, and he was exhausted. He wondered if he'll even last a day out searching for that fortress....
Julian walked into the room. "Come, Li," he said. "This is where we store all our weapons. There are all sorts of bows, arrows, swords... anything you want." He noticed that Li was still standing outside the room. "Hey, what are you afraid of, page? Choose a weapon. Get something good."
It's not fear. It's unconditional hatred for you, bastard, Li thought as he reluctantly entered. He mentally kicked himself. That was really low. The prince didn't deserve that comment, but still, as hard as he may try, Li can't like him.
The apprentice/page wandered to where the swords were and looked all of them over. As he did so, without really thinking, he spoke up. "So, how are you and the princess doing?"
Julian seemed surprised at the question. "Oh, we're doing just fine. We are unsure of when to marry, though."
Li nodded slightly, smirking. "Cute. A prince and a princess... living happily ever after..."
Julian didn't like the younger boy's tone of voice. "Excuse me?"
Li just walked on out. "I'll stick to my Mast Axe, thank you very much." He was gone.
Julian glared after him, wondering why he was so rude. "That little pauper," he whispered angrily. He had no right to speak to a noble like that. Disrespect them, and you get exile or get put in confinement. Or if someone went far enough as to kill or something similar, then you get tortured or executed.
The prince gave Li three strikes. He used up one. If he did this twice more, then he'll be put in the dungeon, and Julian will make sure he gets the dirtiest one in the furthest corner. Li will pay....
"Oh, Goddess..." Julian murmured. Short tempers? Irrelevant punishments for small things? "I'm turning into my father..." The person he least wanted to be.
* * *
It was a clear, beautiful day, and Chelsea was in a small wooden boat, alone, rowing across a lake to Masque Fortress. It was a magnificent castle, but it was covered in shadow, leaving it in mystery. Chelsea didn't have time to admire its majesty, like she usually would for any regal place, for she was in a hurry to see...
"Zachary!" she yelled, her voice echoing throughout the forests surrounding the area. She squinted her eyes and like she expected, saw a figure in front of the castle's gates waving excitedly to her. She recognized his silver armor with the Enigman crest on it, and that beautiful sword he carried. His horse Avalanche was next to him, neighing calmly.
Chelsea rowed faster, getting more impatient by the second. When she finally reached the shore, she jumped out of the boat and into her knight's waiting arms, laughing happily.
"I've been waiting for you," Zachary said to her softly. He pulled away from her slightly, smiling. "Your love kept me hoping... and I realized how much I cared for you, too." He put his hand to her cheek and leaned in to kiss her.
Chelsea could feel her heart pumping faster as she closed in the space between them.
Unexpectedly, Zachary put his thumb on her waiting lips, stopping their would-be kiss. She looked up at him, confused.
He gave her a strange smile, and Chelsea knew something was horribly wrong. Her unasked question was answered when she vaguely heard something get unsheathed. She wanted to move so badly, but something was keeping her in place. She couldn't even move her head to look down at what he was doing. She then felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest. She gasped, the burning sensation unbearable. She still couldn't go anywhere. She moved her eyes to Zachary's face and saw an evil smile on his face. "I really do care for you, Chelsea," he told her. "But obviously, not enough."
"No!" she tried calling out, but instead, blood came out of her mouth, mixed with the tears that ran down her face. Zachary dug the sword deeper into her heart, literally tearing it apart.
She felt her breath leaving her. She was going to die. Her knees were weak, but for some reason, she stayed in the same position she was in, staring at him, unable to see what was happening to her.
Zachary pulled the sword from her, and she saw it, bloodied, but still bright and glorious. He sheathed it and stepped up to her, so that they were at the same distance as they were before.
Gasping for breath and wincing in pain, Chelsea whispered, "I love you...Zachary..."
But he didn't reply. He just snickered as he pushed her backwards into the lake.
And all Chelsea could see was water and blood mixed together as she drifted to the bottom... and Zachary staring down at her from the shore....
"Chelsea."
She opened her eyes to a male voice calling her. She found herself in her nightgown, back in her bed, sitting up, with someone's arms tightly around her. Her face was buried in his bare shoulder. "Zachary...?" she asked hopefully, her voice muffled.
"No... it's Tomite," the other person said softly. He let go of her, but kept his hands on her arms. His hair was messy from sleep and was shirtless. He wore an old-looking pair of breeches. Chelsea blushed a little, but luckily Tomite didn't notice.
"Must have been some nightmare," he guessed, judging from the tears that still stained her cheeks. He wiped them away with his sleeve.
Wait... Chelsea thought. "How did you know...?"
"That you were having a bad dream?" he finished for her. He shrugged. "I don't know, it's just... I guess, a feeling... a really strong one."
Chelsea figured that she probably just accidentally used magic to reach out to him while she was sleeping. "Oh..." was all she said.
"Do you want to tell me?" he asked.
Chelsea remembered how real the pain in her dream felt. "No... no, I'll be okay," she replied. She didn't want to remember it. She laid her head against her pillow. "I'll be going back to sleep now," she said. She didn't really want to, but her eyes suddenly felt really heavy.
Tomite stood up but didn't leave the room. "I'll stay here." He smiled at her. "Just in case. We still have a couple more hours to kill, anyway."
Chelsea didn't object. She was too tired. The villager turned to her side and fell into a deep, dreamless, but more peaceful sleep.
* * *
So there they were. The group of nobles and one village girl on their way to search for a missing knight who might even be dead. But that peasant girl was so certain that he was alive that they had to believe her.
Tomite, Chiriko, Li, Prince Julian, Hotohori, as well as Princess Sakura, and of course, Chelsea, were getting ready to leave Pinnacle Palace for the journey to the mysterious castle near Porcelain.
"I'm not sure about this trip," Sakura told Chelsea that morning as they watched the males saddle up their horses.
"What if you release some magic you can't control, my lady?" the other replied. "What will you do then? The Emperor will surely execute you, even if you were promised to his son. If you stick with me, I can teach you how to keep the magic under wraps."
Sakura frowned. She still didn't want to go out in the wilderness. She has never been there without an entourage of guards, but the only thing she can do is trust the villager.
"Let's go!" Julian exclaimed, helping Sakura mount Tornado. He climbed up behind her.
"Chelsea, you're riding with me," Tomite said, beckoning the girl over.
Li and Chiriko, being male, rode their own horses, Echo and the siblings' horse, Ciel. A lady was supposed to have a man ride with her as opposed to having her own horse, unless she was a warrior, like Soi.
Tomite put Chelsea on his rusty-colored horse, Autumnfire. "How was your sleep?" he whispered to her as he mounted.
"Not bad," she answered, grinning. After her second sleep, worries about her bad dream were gone. Now her heart was filled with determination. Zachary, here I come!
Julian and Sakura and Tomite and Chelsea were the ones to lead the group. Chiriko and Li were settled in the middle, and Hotohori upon Siren, brought up the rear. Together, they all set foot toward the bridge leading to southeast of the river.
* * *
A violet-haired woman sauntered that morning from her chambers to the main hallway of her abode. "Come on, everyone!" she called to her many servants. "I have a feeling we will be having guests today. This place is filthy! We haven't had visitors in so long! Oh, I'll even help clean!" She started rushing for a mop for the dirty floors in the lobby.
An upset servant trudged past her. "But ma'am, how would you know there would be people coming? You haven't used your magic in so long..."
"I just know," was the reply. She pushed her waist-length braid from her shoulder. "Now, we have a lot to do. Get to it. You can start by helping in the kitchen."
The servant sighed and walked slowly away, giving her a lazy wave. The woman took no notice of the mopey boy and continued with her errand.
* * *
It had been nearly five hours of traveling. The place was certainly hard to find. Tall, bushy trees in the south hid everything from view. They covered up more sunlight than the ones in Engima did.
When Chelsea spotted the lake up ahead, she rejoiced. She was the only one with enough energy to do so, for everyone else was exhausted from the trip.
During the trip, when they took their hourly rests, Hotohori and Tomite would take time to help Li in weapon-fighting, while Julian and Chiriko sat around near where the horses were settled, talking about current events. Sakura and Chelsea sneaked off into the thick woods and worked on Sakura's magic, which Chelsea was proud to say, was improving a lot in just a short amount of time. Now the princess could scrye in a pool of water, feel the emotions and thoughts of some of the smaller animals, and cast a simple barrier spell.
But it wasn't all teaching and learning. The two would sidetrack every once in a while, gossiping about some person in some village. They were becoming fast friends.
Li had trouble paying attention to his training. There Hotohori was, trying to give him tips on maneuvering his spear, but he kept drifting off. He could sort of hear Tomite scolding him, but he just didn't want to pay attention at the moment. He wondered where Sakura went. Meilin didn't even come to mind.
So, now they had reached their destination. Everyone stopped at the edge of the lake. Tomite and Chelsea dismounted.
"Oh, how are we going to get across?" Chelsea asked sadly. "The water doesn't look that shallow..."
"There has to be a way," Tomite said, looking around for a boat or something..
"Hey, look!" Hotohori cried from his horse. He pointed far across the river. There, a large boat was drifting toward them, just enough for the seven of them.
"It looks like these people have been expecting us," Julian concluded. "Seems eerie." He and the others hopped off their horses and tied their reins to some nearby trees.
The boat arrived, wading in the soft currents of the lake as it traveled to the journers. Everyone just kind of looked at each other, looked at the boat, and, seeing that it seemed safe enough, loaded into the thing, still wary.
* * *
Nikki really didn't know what Soi was doing. She followed as the ex- knight hastily went through the woods. The girl knew this wasn't really part of their plan...
"Believe me, Nikki, I know what we're doing," Soi said to her, as if reading her mind. "This is just a little extension of our plan."
"Okay," Nikki replied, not really thinking about it.
They reached the end of the forest. Soi leaned her back against one of the trees, trying to conceal herself. Her accomplice did the same, although she didn't know why, until she heard faint voices. She took a quick peek and saw that Chiriko was part of a group of nobles muttering amongst themselves, getting on a big rowboat.
Nikki felt her face grow warm and turned away quickly. What was he doing here? Is he going to fall for whatever scheme Soi randomly came up with? What's going to happen? All these thoughts ran through her mind. In her heart, she knew that she certainly didn't want to hurt Chiriko, but at the same time, her mind told her that this would be vengeance for his teasing, for all those times he made her feel an inch tall. And being the intellectual person she was, Nikki chose to follow her brain rather than her emotions.
"Come, we can wait for them out here," Soi called as the passengers on the boated rowed out of sight. She walked up to one of the horses, Siren, and petted her muzzle. The horse whinnied in protest, as if sensing the evil in Soi. "Oh, you stupid horse, I'm not going to do anything to you," Soi scolded her.
Nikki just sat down just outside the woods, feeling dazed. She hadn't seen Chiriko in forever, and she couldn't get over that he looked different... more grown up. She could tell that he had gotten taller and that his voice was a little deeper. His light brown hair had been cut short to make him look more his age. She could have sworn that he was getting muscles. He should almost be fifteen by now.
Nikki realized that her heart was beating fast. She took deep breaths, slowing her heartrate down. Why was she getting so worked up over Chiriko, anyway? He deserved to be "destroyed", as Soi put it. "What are we going to do, Soi?" Nikki asked.
"Hm?" Soi looked up from petting Autumnfire. "Oh, something very subtle to spark something big. It requires a little acting on both our parts."
The fourteen-year-old nodded.
"It doesn't stray far from what you planned," Soi said. "It's just in a different setting, that's all."
"It doesn't," Nikki agreed. She looked away absently. She still didn't feel that this was right, even though she told herself it was.
* * *
"Do you think Zachary is really there in Masque?" Julian asked Chelsea as Hotohori and Tomite manned the oars.
"I certainly hope so," Chelsea replied. She was starting to have doubts. What was everyone going to say if he wasn't there? They took this trip for nothing?
They reached a dock on the other side. Everyone piled out of the boat and stared up at the beautiful Masque Fortress. A cobblestone path led to two magnificent black marble doors with silver door handles. The building itself was made out of that same black marble, with some moss growing on the side to indicate its age. There were two round towers at both end of the castle, each with a small, single oval-shaped window and a black, cone- shaped roof.
"A castle... with black marble..." Sakura murmured as the group walked down the winding path. "Very impressive..."
"It is," Chelsea agreed.
None of the journers had to knock on the door when they reached it, for someone had burst through it. Everybody jumped back in surprise. At the door was a beautiful, smiling purple-haired woman in a flowing, lavender dress, with a fan in her hand to match. "So, you've finally come," she said in a smooth, alto voice. "I knew you all would show up. We prepared for your arrival."
"You have?" Hotohori questioned, surprised. "Are you the owner of the castle?"
"Yes, I am. The person who owned this place before me was Count... oh, I forgot his name. But I bought it after that poor soul died."
"May I ask your name, ma'am?" Tomite asked politely.
"Of course, you need my name! How rude of me! I'm Countess Nuriko, and this is my extravagant abode." She gestured to the front lobby, where a regal double staircase was. The steps had violet carpeting and a golden serpent statuette at the middle banister's end. On either side of the stairs were two wide hallways with sparkling chandeliers on the ceilings.
"This is a marvelous place," Julian commented.
"Thank you," said Nuriko. "Now if you follow me, we will talk. I may have known that you were coming, but I don't know exactly why."
The countess led them into the dining area, a spacious, glorious room with a long white table, a beautiful chandelier, and a bouquet of white roses in a transparent vase. The walls were adorned with different shields of unknown knights. The Amourites took time to stare while Nuriko ordered some servants to get them some cake.
"None of this is necessary, madam," Tomite spoke up.
"Nonsense. I didn't make them bake these desserts for nothing."
All of them sat down. Julian and Sakura next to each other, Li between her and Hotohori. Chiriko was positioned across from Julian, next to his sister Chelsea. Tomite sat beside the teenage girl, and Nuriko took the seat at the head of the table, for it was her home after all.
"Where do you get these shields, Countess Nuriko?" Chelsea asked meekly.
"Hm? Those ol' things?," Nuriko asked. "Oh, I don't know. They were still here when the owner before me, the first one ever, to be exact, passed away. Maybe he had been a knight and had friends from distant lands who were knights... or maybe he just likes collecting them..."
"She talks a lot, no?" Hotohori whispered to Li, who nodded slowly.
"But anyway," the countess went on as the servants came by with the cakes, "What brings you here? Looking for something?"
That's when the entire table looked at Chelsea. Nuriko did too, wondering why everyone else did.
Chelsea cleared her throat and blushed, feeling very self-conscious. "Um, well..." Her face colored even more. She didn't like everybody staring at her. "There's..."
"There's a missing knight from our empire," Tomite finished for her. "He was a close friend of ours and we were hoping he had possibly ended up here."
The braided girl sighed with relief as the others turned their attention elsewhere.
"Sorry, but you seven are my first guests... ever," Nuriko said sadly. "And I doubt he would be able to sneak in. There are only two doors. And plus, my psychic powers would've sensed his presence."
Everyone exchanged glances at the mention of magic powers, but since Masque technically didn't belong to Amour, they all silently agreed not to say
He's not here, Chelsea thought sadly. Her vision started to blur. It was hopeless. Where could he be? She refused to believe he was dead... even if it were true. But, Fortuna... where is my Zachary?
"Oh, I'm sorry, Chels," Sakura said sympathetically, feeling for her friend.
Chelsea felt someone grab her hand underneath the table. She froze. She knew for sure that it wasn't her brother. Tomite... she thought absently. It made her feel better, so she successfully dried her tears. Then the villager squeezed his hand as a thank-you and let go. Even though they had known each other for barely two days, she trusted him completely. He had been so good to her and Chiriko...
"So, what now?" Julian asked. "If Zachary isn't here, where else could he have gone?"
"Yeah, he could be anywhere," said Chiriko.
Nuriko thought about it. "Well..." she began, "there is this Elvish settlement, but it's really hard to find. You won't see it on any map. I don't even know the name of it. Who knows if it even really exists or not?"
"But there has to be a way," Chelsea declared. She wasn't going to give up on him so easily. "Do you know anything about this Elvish place?"
"What do I know?" Nuriko pursed her lips together. "Not much... some people claim that the elves who live there are advanced in technology and magic... but I don't know if they have taken in any stray travelers. Also, I don't know where it is..."
Julian stood up and bowed to Nuriko. "We don't have much to do here anymore," he said, "but thank you for your time and attention."
"Oh, it's no problem, Your Majesty," the countess replied.
"Wha--? How did you know I was--?" The prince was taken aback.
Nuriko winked. "I just do." She watched as the rest of the group started getting up from their seats. "Hold it. Don't tell me you are all leaving already."
"Ma'am, we have more than enough information to continue our journey," Sakura said to her. "We thank you for everything."
"Don't be in such a hurry," Nuriko responded. "Feel free to wander around the fortress if you care to. This used to be a fort when invaders from another land attacked Chalice and causing its downfall."
"I know that story," spoke up Hotohori. "And after the downfall, those foreigners fought onward until... the elves came. Then they gave the land back to the surviving people and they rebuilt it, naming it New Chalice..."
"So, anyway," Nuriko quipped, smiling. "Go ahead and look around. Don't get lost, though. I'll see you all again someday." And with that, she walked away to her chambers, a couple of maids following behind.
Everyone did as they were told and began touring Masque. Sakura left Julian's side to go wander by herself. Li took this opportunity to catch up with her. He had been silent the entire time they were all at the table. It was in Li's nature to do so. He wasn't much of a talker in groups. He was more into one-on-one conversations. Like now.
He touched her shoulder. "Princess..."
She turned to face him slowly. "Oh... Apprentice Boy..."
He smiled slightly. "I have a name. It's Li."
She turned red. "Oh, I'm sorry. I do remember you told me that a while back." She was embarrassed. How could she forget this handsome boy's name?
"How are you?" he questioned, stepping forward, closing the space between them.
Sakura continued to blush. "I'm fine..." Why is my heart beating so fast? she thought in wonder. Why do I feel so hot all of a sudden? "How about you? I hope your knight-training is going well."
"It is, I guess," he replied. He noticed that Sakura's face was a deep pink color. "Why are you blushing?" he teased, smirking.
"What?!" She whirled around so Li wouldn't see her. "I wasn't blushing. I was just feeling a bit feverish, what with our all-day trek and all.."
Li playfully grabbed her by shoulders and made her face him. "It's me, isn't it?" he joked. "You think I'm quite the gentleman, huh?"
Sakura suddenly realized that his hands had moved to her waist. She was practically in his arms now. She just stared up at him, that same feeling she had back in the village when she first me him entrancing her. She knew he was feeling the same, for she could feel his heart pounding. "Actually," she started softly, "I think you are." That's when she leaned into him and kissed him, her hands grabbing part of his tunic. Li pulled her closer and kissed back, not thinking about the possibility of Julian seeing them.
Oh, no, Sakura thought, and suddenly pushed Li away from her. He looked down at her questioningly. "I can't betray Julian," she told him apologetically. "And I don't think you'd want to betray Meilin." She glanced down at the promise ring on her finger
The apprentice closed his eyes, touching the necklace around his neck. That's right... Meilin... "Yeah..." he murmured. "But--" he opened his eyes. "I can't help this, you know? I'm falling for you..."
She grabbed his hand and held it. "And so am I... but... it's just not meant to be..."
Julian came around the corner and saw his Sakura holding that page's hand. He narrowed his eyes. Strike two. He was about to walk forward and give them a piece of his mind... but then abruptly decided not to. Julian went back out of sight and walked around the corner again, pretending not to suspect anything. "Sakura, love," he called. "We are all leaving now."
The princess jumped and dropped Li's hand. She hadn't expected him to come by. Li gulped and looked away.
"Come on," Julian stated, beckoning the two.
Sakura sighed. "I hope he doesn't suspect anything. Let's go, Li." She and the brunette started following the prince.
* * *
"His Majesty said that we were going to the Summit library to research before we do any more of our search parties," Tomite was saying to Chelsea, Chiriko, and Hotohori as they loaded the boat.
"That's good," Hotohori replied. "It will make things a lot easier."
Julian, Sakura, and Li arrived then and loaded, too. "Let's head back to Pinnacle," Julian declared. And so the group did.
As they rowed on and came closer to the land opposite Masque, they were aware that there was someone waiting for them. Li, who sat in the front, leaned forward and squinted his eyes. "Who could that over there be?" he pondered out loud.
"They don't look to be on our side," Chiriko remarked from behind him.
Nothing more was said, since they were still too far to come to any valid conclusion.
"Hey... that girl looks familiar," Chelsea suddenly said from the middle of the rowboat, pointing to a dark-haired person on her right. She stood straight, with her chin up, expectantly.
Chiriko came to a realization as he followed his sister's finger, feeling sick to his stomach. He stared wide-eyed at the girl standing near the horses. It couldn't be her. But... those glasses, the straight dark hair, that black dress she always wore... "It's Nikki, dammit!" he cried. "What is she doing all the way out here?"
"Oh... a classmate of yours..." Chelsea responded, recognizing her. "Nikki... didn't you tell me you couldn't stand her?"
Chiriko didn't say anything. He couldn't figure out why she was there, but he had a feeling that it wasn't anything good.
"What could she want?" Julian wondered. Sakura shrugged. Tomite and Hotohori didn't say anything; they were busy rowing the boat.
* * *
Nikki stood emotionlessly and watched as the boat came closer to her, keeping the scheme in mind. Fool the Summit royalty into thinking that Enigma was in charge of some kind of conspiracy against them. This would fuel a civil war, and Soi's revenge will be satisfied. Then both kingdoms will fall, and Soi will make sure that she take over the land and rule her new kingdom.
The Amourites docked and got out of the boat. She tried not to notice how good Chiriko looked now as he came running up to her.
"Hey..." he greeted. "What's up with you? What are you doing out here?"
This was when Nikki launched into the act she had rehearsed with Soi, who by this time had hidden herself in the forest. She didn't want to blow her cover of the innocent, amnesia-stricken ex-warrior. Nikki forced her body to begin shaking all over, as if she had just seen something terrible. "Don't come near me!" she said as Chiriko got closer to her.
He stopped a few paces away, puzzled. But then he remembered how terribly he had treated her back in school, and figured she had a reason for not wanting to speak to him. "Nikki, look. I'm sorry for the way I acted at school."
""Who said anything about school? " she stopped him. "Besides, that was nothing compared to what you've done this time."
"This time?" Chiriko cocked his head to the side in confusion.
"The beast, the ambush.
"Beast, ambush? Nikki, what in the world are you talking about?"
"I saw it, Chiriko! I saw a horrible monster roaming this part of the forest just now, and it was heading out to fields, were you all would be traveling right now if I hadn't been able to stop you here and warn you."
The truth was that Soi had summoned the aforementioned beast earlier, and set him wandering in the direction of the lake. She had said its name was Ashitare.
"So.you think that I had something to do with this monster?" Chiriko asked
"Why else would you be traipsing around the countryside with so many Summit nobles?"
"We were visiting Masque Fortress."
Nikki made her eyes go wide at the mention of the place. "Masque?!" she asked in a horrified voice.
Chiriko shrugged, not really seeing a problem with it. "It was my sister's idea," he said, pointing towards Chelsea "Miss Chelsea, why on earth would you take some of Summit's most beloved noblemen out to Masque, the home of a crazy old woman who uses magic? " Nikki lowered her voice on the last word, to emphasize the fact that magic was forbidden in Amour, and Chelsea had led everyone straight into a den of it.
"First of all, she's not crazy," Chelsea replied calmly.
"Yes, that's right," Sakura spoke up. "I had heard that rumor, but now that I've met the owner in person, I know that she is perfectly sane."
"Answer the question, Chelsea." Nikki said, ignoring Sakura and still staring straight at Chelsea, who had no answer.
By this time, however, everyone knew the basic story of Sir Zachary, even if they didn't know the whole truth behind it, and several people started to answer at once.
"Let her answer me, if she can."
"You heard what they said, Nikki. We're simply trying to find a missing knight."
"But why not take Enigma nobles. You're from Enigma. Zachary was from Enigma. Why go out of your way by getting Summit nobles to follow you to Masque?"
"Well, I - I didn't know any Enigma nobility, and Chiriko knew Tomite, so."
Luckily for Nikki, Soi was able to use her magic to see into other people's minds. She had done it with Tasuki during the Day War, and she did it with Chelsea now. She looked into Chelsea's memories, and sent a telepathic message to Nikki of what she had found.
"Chelsea, you didn't know that Chiriko knew Tomite when you went to Summit. He had just as much chance as knowing a Summit noble as you did an Enigman, but you still made the long journey to a whole different kingdom to recruit an escort instead of taking the simple trip down to your own castle. Why? What were you hoping to gain? Other than possible injury to your enemy kingdom, I mean." "I never said Summit was an enemy to Enigma!" Chelsea was getting angry with Nikki's implications. However, she knew that she didn't have an answer for Nikki's question. She really didn't know why she had gone to Pinnacle Palace when it would have been much easier to go to Sanctuary. In her fervor to find Zachary, she hadn't even thought about it. She was so anxious to believe that Chiriko might know someone in Summit, but how she regretted her rashness now! "You didn't have to. I saw for myself what you were planning to lead them into." "There you go again with that ambush nonsense," Chiriko said. "Don't you think if we had planned an ambush, it would've sprung by now?"
At that moment, the Princess Sakura screamed and pointed a shaking finger to a spot behind Nikki's head. Nikki whirled around and everyone else followed her gaze, seeing a hunched, slavering creature about a hundred paces off. It had the body of a man but the face and fur of a wolf. Its glowing red eyes stared directly at the group. "That's the beast!" she shouted as the men drew their weapons. "The beast you peasant Enigmans sent from the depths of your dark forests to attack my country's dear ones!" By this time, Ashitare, attracted by all the commotion, had started running towards them, half of the time on two legs, and half of the time on four. It moved alarmingly fast for such a large animal, and reached the group much sooner than any of them would have expected. Chelsea readied her magic just in case, even though she really did not want to have to use it right here in front of everybody. She saw the monster headed straight for the Prince, who was somewhat occupied with the Princess cowering behind him. In a few seconds it would be on him.
"Prince Julian, watch out!" she shouted, and shot a small flash of magic his way, hoping nobody would notice were it came from. She was just in time, for a barrier sprang up between Julian and the beast with only a few inches to spare. But the moment Ashitare collided with the wall, a brilliant white light flashed, and he disappeared. The stunned Amourites all looked each other in amazement. Julian still stood with his sword raised in front of him. "Occultist! Black mage!" Nikki started shrieking and pointing at Chelsea, her pitch rising with every word. Then she turned to the prince. "Your Highness, that girl sent her creature after you, then, once she was discovered, used FORBIDDEN ARTS to make it seem like she had saved your life."
Chelsea looked frantically from Julian to Sakura to Hotohori to Tomite. "How can you believe such nonsense?! Your Highnesses?!"
Sakura softened. "Chelsea..." She turned to her fiancee. "Julian, can't we--?"
Under normal circumstances, Julian would have thought things over rationally. He would have remembered that he didn't really mind people using magic. But a lot had happened to him today. First it was all day trek in the hot sun, then not finding anything at the end of that trek. Then he comes to find out that some upstart peasant boy was trying to steal Sakura away, and succeeding. And now, someone was out for his life. None of this put him in a very rational or forgiving mood.
"No, Sakura." he replied sternly. "I've had enough of these Engimans." He gripped Sakura's shoulder tightly, but not enough to hurt her.
"Julian... I'm an Enigman," Sakura protested, removing his hands from her. "How about me?"
He looked down at her. "You don't count. I've known you for a long time, so I know I can trust you, but those three.." He looked at Chelsea, Chiriko, and Li.
Chiriko glanced at Nikki sadly. "Nikki..." he began. "You can't be serious...."
Nikki wished she never heard those words. It wasn't what he said, but how he said it that made her feel horrible. But she would never let anyone see that. "Traitors..." she only hissed.
"We aren't traitors!" Chelsea argued. "How can you believe this one girl when you have been out with the three of us?!" Tomite... don't you believe me...? Tomite?"
The knight turned away with a scornful look on his face.
She felt a pang in her heart she never expected to feel. "No, Tomite...not you, too...." she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Blinking them away, she walked over to Chiriko. "Well, we had better go. We must respect His Highness' wishes."
"I'll come with you," Li said, giving Julian a death glare over his shoulder. And so, the three of them mounted their horses and rode away, feeling like they had just been run out of town on a rail. Everyone else stood completely silent, watching their retreating forms fade into the forest.
Sakura stared at the empty air where the three once stood. Then she turned angrily to Julian. "Are you happy?! Happy that you did exactly what your father would've done?!"
The prince was so offended at her words. "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" he shot back. "And don't you dare compare me to my bastard father!"
"Don't say such filthy words!"
While the two argued, Hotohori slumped against a nearby tree near Siren. He glanced at the upset-looking Tomite. "Is something wrong?" he asked him.
Tomite patted Autumnfire idly and closed his eyes briefly in thought. Chelsea...."Nothing..." he replied quietly.
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A/N: Booyaka! (To quote Selphie from FFVIII) Another chapter done! I hope we put some separate things together.... or at least tried to. Aeris and I are trying so HARD to make this story work!!! Please make us feel good by reviewing! ^___^;;; === exhausted from all the labor of thinking too much and smacking the computer...