Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken.
Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
First Born: Sacred Flame
Chapter Ten: The Solstice
One week before the Summer Solstice
"Okay," Omi said taking a deep breath. "I think that does it."
He closed the large book he'd been copying from and added it to the nearest pile. Tomes of every size were stacked along the edges of the table in the secret library. The center of the table was taken up with a large copy of a map showing the entire kingdom before the Great War. The individual Houses were marked as they once had been, fortresses, castles, and forts named after the ruling clans in the thirteen kingdoms. Each boarder marked by thin red lines, each name scrolled delicately inside the boundaries.
They had discovered that they needed the map when their research had taken them back beyond the Great War. Neither of them familiar enough with the names of the kingdoms to know exactly which one was which upon reading about it.
It hadn't taken long for the sheer volume of what they had to go through to impress itself upon them. Some records went back four thousand years and the prospect of mining those depths for a handful of twins seemed daunting. However, the task was made quite a bit simpler when they discovered that most of the Houses were interested in their own lineage. Many had employed scholars to research and record their direct lines for them, and most of them had sent copies of the records to the First House to be stored with their official records.
For the few Houses that hadn't hired scholars, or sent copies to the First House, some digging had been required, which Omi volunteered to do, much to Yohji's initial relief. But after several weeks of reading through the lines of lineage, many of which amounted to nothing more than lists of names, the Prince was certain he would either go blind or insane or both.
It didn't help that the weather had warmed up as the days slowly slipped from spring into summer. As windows were opened and the smell of salt from the ocean warred with the smells of freshly plowed earth and planting beds from the fields, Omi and Yohji found it harder and harder to lock themselves away in the library, out of the fresh air and sunshine, but the importance of their task kept them at it. Even though they weren't entirely sure exactly what their research would tell them.
"Okay," Omi said again, looking over the last few notes he'd taken. "I've found another set, I'm pretty sure. They may even be the first set used to ignite the Sacred Flame itself. They go all the way back almost to the settling, when the thirteen clans laid claim to the wells and built their first forts over them, creating the thirteen kingdoms. Foin and Ardal of Allenswood."
Yohji peered down at the map.
"Where the Third House is now," he remarked. "Inside the great forest. It's close to the northern boarder, but not anywhere as near as I would have thought. Are you sure they're the first?"
"Well, according to what little information there was Foin was a healer and the younger twin," Omi said. "He's five hundred years before Iwan, and as far as we know no one lived here before the settling. Not magic users anyway."
He watched as Yohji made a mark on the map before exhaling loudly and running a hand through his hair. He'd forgotten that it was tied and he ended up entangling his fingers. Omi giggled as the Prince struggled to extricate himself without messing his hair up too badly. He only had mild success.
"Maybe its time for a break?" the younger seer suggested and Yohji nodded.
"A short one," he cautioned. "Just to rest our eyes."
That was Yohji's favorite excuse for a break and giggling again Omi followed him out of the secret room and out of the library onto one of its many balconies. The sun was high and bright, but was mostly blocked by the long white curtains hanging around the balcony's sides. They were light weight, and allowed air to travel through easily, but blocked enough of the sunlight to make resting and dining out on the balconies comfortable in the late afternoons and evenings. Similar curtains were installed on all the balconies on the western side of the Palace in mid-spring and usually weren't taken down until mid-fall when the light would once again become welcome inside for its warmth and cheer.
Although no food was admitted into the library proper, tea was allowed to be served out on the balconies and the seer and Prince were among many of the regular users to take advantage of the brief respite. They enjoyed a few minutes of ocean breezes and sun, fortifying themselves with tea and treats before returning to the dark confines of the secret room.
Yohji stood over the map and studied it. He'd taken the liberty of penciling in the names of the twins they suspected beside their Houses, along with the dates they'd lived. For a moment he just let the information filter through his mind.
Eight of the Thirteen Houses had names written beside them. There was no correlation that they could see between the House or time, but there were no repeats. Of the Houses that had them there was only one set each that fit their slim list of qualifications, and each of those had lived roughly five hundred years apart.
They'd had to broaden that list in terms of what magic the twins had. Although each of them had been known for creative potential they were not all healers. Two had been menders, one a grower, one a fire-starter, and one a shaper, which was almost unheard of. Three had been healers, four if they counted Ken, which they weren't. Not yet.
And they'd discovered some other things as well. All the twins that fit the rough time line and the magical qualification had been male, and they'd all been the second twin in each set. They'd also all taken male lovers from what they could tell, or had close male companions, either paired or otherwise.
"You're right," Yohji said, studying the map. "They are almost every five hundred years."
"Except for now. Hanako was correct when she said the Sacred Flame was old. Nearly a thousand years old and fading fast," Omi replied. "But I'm convinced that if Marrik of the Second House had lived he would've renewed it."
"If Marrik had lived having twins as First Born probably wouldn't have been made illegal," Yohji snorted, recalling the story of the unfortunate man whose sister had gone mad after his accidental death and nearly destroyed her House along with herself.
"Well, they'll have to amend that law if Ken proves to be next," Omi stated. He followed the path of renewals across the map with his finger. "At least for the Fourth, Eighth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Houses. They haven't produced a set of twins yet that fits, so they're in line for the future."
"If Ken is next," the Prince commented. "If this whole hypothesis of ours' bares fruit. It's still just a guess, Omi. We could be wrong."
"No, Yotan, I think you were right," the younger man said, looking up at his friend. "Slight as it may be there is a definite pattern here. And Ken fits the pattern. He's a twin, he's male, he's paired to Ran, and its an unusually strong pairing, and...well...I mean, he is a healer. But I'm not sure how great..."
"Oh, he's a great healer alright, even though he doesn't use his abilities as he should," Yohji chuckled. "No one healer could've saved Ran when he was stabbed. Although Ken has the same amount of power as Keiji and an innate ability to use it in healing, it not only takes power but skill to save lives. Ken shouldn't have been able to save Ran simply because he wasn't trained to. But he did."
"Well, since all we know is who and when, then in order to learn the how we'll just have to continue to keep our eyes on Ken," Omi sighed.
Yohji chuckled again and pulled his folded Epiant Amoure card out of his coat pocket.
"No worries there, Omichi," he laughed, waving it. "Ken and Ran are under almost constant supervision."
"Yeah, except when they're asleep."
Yohji stopped laughing and got such a thoughtful expression on his face that Omi became alarmed.
"No, Yohji. Absolutely not," the seer stated, shaking his head. "Whatever you're thinking just forget it."
"What's a little voyeurism between friends?" the Prince smirked with a distinct twinkle in his eye.
"No."
"But you have that conveniently located door," Yohji persisted. "Such a thing of beauty should not be wasted."
Omi just stared at him.
Yohji smiled.
"I already tried it, it's locked," the seer admitted.
"Keyhole?"
"Covered."
"Damn."
XXXXXXXXXX
Ken was excited, but so was everyone in the Palace. It was finally the day of the Solstice, and it promised to be an event he'd remember for years to come.
Outside, on the lowest lawn, down next to the gravel yard, a small fair had been set up a week ago, just after the players had arrived. There were vendors from every House, and each had a booth to sell their wares. There cloth merchants, dye specialists, herbalists, a booth with tooled leather goods, one that sold weapons, another that sold stringed instruments and another selling pipes and flutes. One woman had beautiful dolls with hand painted faces on porcelain heads. Another sold all manner of toy animals, ones made of stuffed material and ones of painted wood. Some with legs, some with wheels.
There were food vendors with all manner of treats from tiny pies filled with meat, vegetables, or berries to anything you could skewer roasted on a stick. Booths full of candies and treats such as cookies, tiny cakes and spun sugar. Not to mention tents for beer, wine, and spirits.
On the next highest lawn were gaming booths and tents, where for a penny patrons could try their hand at any number of games of chance. Most were simply for pure enjoyment but there were one or two for more serious gambling. The guard kept a heavy eye trained on these.
To Ken it seemed as though a small town of delights had been erected and he was hard pressed not to skip out on his lessons. Ran kept him in line though and they spent many happy hours exploring the booths and buying gifts for the royal family and Aya, to be presented at the Winter Solstice. And Ken enjoyed trying every kind of food available at least twice. Some of it Ran was certain would make him sick, but he wouldn't be dissuaded and somehow managed to remain perfectly healthy.
But the fair was just a teaser to the Solstice celebration itself. There would be a grand banquet in the great hall, during which the players were scheduled to perform all kinds of acrobatics, which Ken had been secretly watching them practice. It was guaranteed to be quite a show, followed by a play about the joys and sorrows of summer, and finally a fireworks display outside. And that was what Ken was most excited about. Even the presence of the full moon couldn't stand against the brilliance of fireworks, or so he hoped.
Ken was beside himself with anticipation. He was actually hopping from one foot to the other as his fingers fumbled with the buttons of his new shirt.
He and Ran had new clothes for the celebration. Everyone did. And they'd wear them again for Ran's birthday in two weeks.
Ken glanced at his partner and room mate, who was dressing before his own wardrobe. Ran looked resplendent in his new suit. The shirt and cravat were of a cream colored silky material which clung to and almost blended with his skin. The waistcoat was striped, and of a slightly heavier but still light material. The deep wine color, which could look either red or purple depending on the light, was striped with a cream to match the shirt. The stripes which traveled its length accentuated Ran's lean frame. The coat and pants were of a light weight suede dyed in the same wine color as the waistcoat and the cut served to show off his broad shoulders and long legs.
Ken watched as Ran critically studied his reflection in the wardrobe mirror and brusquely removed an invisible piece of dust from his sleeve.
It wasn't until Ran turned to face him that Ken realized he was still only half dressed, and he'd been staring. He felt his cheeks heat up as he quickly looked at his own reflection and returned to buttoning his shirt.
His own suit was a match to Ran's but for the color being green rather than wine. Ken didn't mind the green but he didn't think he looked nearly as attractive as Ran did. That didn't really bother him either, but he was secretly worried that others would see Ran the way he did. He wasn't sure if he was worried about being able to compete with them or being able to distract Ran enough so he wouldn't look elsewhere. Either way he didn't want anyone else to get Ran's attention, not the least little bit of it.
Well, except for Aya of course, and the royal family. Ran could look at them if he wanted. But that was all. No one else.
Ken nodded to his reflection and a deep chuckle made him start in surprise. Ran had moved to lean against the side of Ken's wardrobe and was watching him with an amused smirk.
"You look as though you've come to an important decision," he said.
"I have," Ken replied finishing with his buttons and beginning to tie his cravat.
"About what, may I ask?"
Ken focused on the task at hand for a moment, holding the tip of his tongue between his teeth in concentration. When it was done he paused to examine it closely before meeting Ran's eyes again. The red-head was still smirking.
"You are allowed to speak to Aya and the royal family tonight," he stated imperiously, "but nobody else except me."
"Is that so?" Ran asked, the smirk becoming a small smile. "And may I ask what prompted you to make this decision?"
"Your new outfit," Ken answered ducking his blushing face under the pretense of reaching for his waistcoat. "You look too good in it."
He didn't dare face Ran and so began tugging on the striped green and cream colored garment, but he fumbled to a halt when a pair of pale hands moved to assist him. They grasped the front edges and pulled it into place then began deftly buttoning it closed.
"Then I must insist on placing the same restrictions on you," Ran's deep voice spoke from directly in front of him. "And for the very same reason."
Ken shyly glanced up and met his friend's violet eyes. They'd turned a deep purple and he felt his breath catch.
"Deal," he whispered.
Ran stepped back and Ken grabbed up his coat, hurrying to get it on although he was already stifling. Once he was ready they left through Ran's little library and almost walked into Omi out in the hallway.
"Happy Summer Solstice," the seer chirped at them, a bright happy smile plastered across his face. Since moving into the royal apartment Omi had cheered considerably and he fit right in with the family, which was a joy and a relief to everyone.
"Happy Solstice!" Ken replied happily. "You got new clothes too," he said taking in the seer's new brown coat, cream, yellow and blue waistcoat, and light blue shirt and cravat, all of which served to bring out his eyes.
"Yes. Yohji insisted," Omi replied with a slight blush. "It's frightening what the Prince knows about materials, cuts, and colors."
"Indeed," Ran nodded, then leaned into Ken. "Omi wasn't on the list."
Ken fairly quivered when the tall Lord's breath caressed his ear. He cleared his throat.
"And Omi," he declared.
Ran chuckled and moved out of his space leaving Ken with a fluttering stomach and quickened pulse, which he endeavored to ignore.
"Happy Solstice, Omi," the red-head said and they moved toward the stairs. "Where is Yohji?"
"He said he'd wait in the drawing room so we could head downstairs together," Omi answered. "But doesn't the royal family enter the great hall together? In state?"
"No. We don't stand on ceremony here," Ran said.
"I'm surprised."
As Ran and Omi continued discussing the reasons behind ignoring royal protocol Ken took a moment to calm himself. Over the last several weeks he and Ran's behavior toward one another had begun to change. He understood where he was coming from, having realized sometime ago that his feelings for his partner were something more than friendly, but he wasn't exactly sure about Ran's. Or rather he was afraid to assume that Ran's behavior meant what he wanted it to.
It seemed as though the Lord was teasing him at times. At others it was almost as if he were inviting Ken to do or say something specific, to give him a sign of sorts. The problem was Ken had no experience in matters of the heart, or the pants, and had no idea what he should say or do to get Ran to act. He was just too shy or embarrassed to come out and say it.
He continued to ruminate over his problem as they greeted Yohji and the four of them left the apartment and joined the throng headed down the grand staircase. By the time they'd reached the main floor he still hadn't come up with any solid answers. He hoped Ran's behavior was a sign that maybe he wanted to deepen their relationship too, but it could be just a sign of Ran relaxing into their friendship.
Ken sighed to himself as they stepped into the line of people entering the great hall, and attempted to push the troubling thoughts away. Either they'd come together or they wouldn't. Only time would tell.
As they stepped through the set of doors into the great hall Ken let the sight fill him with the familiar awe. It was a great hall in every sense and he'd never seen anything like it before coming to the First House.
The room was slightly longer than it was wide and easily three stories tall. It stretched nearly the depth of the First House and was constructed of the same polished white stone the outside of the Palace was. The floor was completely open and the center of it was highly polished wood joined together in a pattern that accentuated the shape of the room. In each corner were large braziers to keep the room heated in winter, and they had been filled with sprays of flowers for the celebration. But what most amazed Ken was the layout of the tables.
Unlike any dining room he'd ever seen the tables of the great hall were tucked inside what appeared to be pockets along the two side walls and across the back of the room. Of course, what he'd learned at the Spring Equinox festivities was that they were actually long hallways with windows that opened out into the great hall. Tables were placed along each window so the person sitting there could view whatever was happening inside, and the servants could serve the food from behind them as well as reach the kitchens quickly and easily down back stairs.
There were three levels of windows and tables to insure enough seating for every prominent person in the House, and any guests who might be present. The first level were five feet above the floor of the hall, the others ten feet above them. The front wall, which was the one they entered from, was hung with a giant tapestry displaying the First House's coat of arms in proportions the size of a small coach and surrounded by the other twelve Houses sewn in a quarter of that size.
Completing the look of grandeur were the four huge chandeliers which zig-zagged across the ceiling. Candles in glass globes reflected light throughout the space, helped by wall sconces and glass covered candles that dotted each of the tables. And to add to the festive feeling garlands of flowers hung from the front of each of the openings. The air in the room was warm and sweet and full of excited chatter.
As they crossed the wooden floor to the far corner where the staircase that would take them to the royal tables was located, the lowest window across the back wall, Ran caught Ken's eye and smiled. Ken returned it.
"In thirteen days we'll be celebrating your birthday in here, Ran," Yohji commented and the Lord turned to look at the Prince. "Any idea what you'd like for your gift?" he asked archly.
The red-head glanced back at Ken briefly before replying, "I have an idea," and then after looking around, "Less flowers would be nice."
Omi laughed and they moved up the stairs to their seats. Once again Ken's insides were flip-flopping.
He forgot all his discomfort once dinner was served though. Through the doors burst the players, dressed in bright colors, many with streamers of cloth hanging from their arms and legs. They were led in by two of their fellows, each beating a large drum, and followed by the women playing long pipes. The children streamed in last dressed each in one solid color from head to toe, and the acrobatics commenced.
They did interesting tumbling routines which almost seemed like dances set to the beat of the drums and the tunes of the pipes. They formed amazingly tall human pyramids in different shapes, and did incredible aerial displays either by being tossed upward or by jumping from the human pyramids.
Everyone was awed and applauded wildly after each set. Between the harder stunts were more of the calmer dance like performances. Often they employed wooden hoops or sticks with long streamers to great effect as they moved in perfect synchronicity. Beautiful and mesmerizing.
As the fourth course of dinner was laid out the players launched into a frenzied grand finale that used almost every move they'd done and came to an astounding end to the beat of the drums. Every audience member jumped to their feet in applause and more than a few people threw flowers they'd pulled from the garlands.
The players formed up in a long row for a bow then danced their way out, waving and collecting the flowers. As soon as they were out the doors the candles on the chandeliers and in the wall sconces went out, plunging the heart of the room into darkness.
Ken started as a sweet tenor voice began singing relatively near him, and he turned to find Omi had moved from his seat to stand in the open staircase. His voice filled the hall with the promises of summer and a touch of the coming fall. He sang of love and passion, bright sun and cooling rain, and as he sang the doors to the hall opened and the children entered again in two long lines. They'd changed into dark clothing which made them practically invisible. Each one carried a candle set into a metal holder with a polished back. The two lines split toward the center of the room and they formed a loose rectangle and sat, facing their candles toward its center.
Once the "stage" had been lit a single figure dashed to its center from the doorway. He cast something toward the floor which created a large cloud of sparkling smoke from which he seemed to magically appear. At that exact moment Omi ceased singing and quietly resumed his seat. Everyone applauded and the player bowed extravagantly before launching into his first speech as narrator.
The play, though somewhat long to Ken's mind, was well received. Omi sang twice more, once when the young lovers eloped together, and again when they met in heaven after being unjustly killed for a crime. There was a wild sword fight as their fathers sought revenge and a prolonged funeral after their names were cleared. Then the narrator spoke again, somehow tying the whole thing up with the Solstice celebration.
All in all Ken was glad they'd reached dessert or he might have nodded off, but one final round of applause later they were all being directed outside for the fireworks, and his excitement returned.
They were glorious. Flower after fiery flower blossoming across the night sky in every color imaginable. Ken didn't mind the noise or smoke as the beauty of the bright explosions filled his vision making him smile and gasp. Every so often he found himself applauding along with those around him, and laughed as the children of the First House joined those of the players in attempting to catch the falling sparks.
By the end of the evening he was relaxed and happy in a way he'd never been before. Smiling as Ran beckoned to him, he wished Omi and Yohji a good night, and followed his friend up to bed.
The coming morning would mark the beginning of intensified practices for them as the plans for the tour were finalized. Three days after Ran's birthday they were scheduled to head north and attempt to save the Sacred Flame.
XXXXXXXXXX
Author's Note: My ode to Circ Du Solei (spelled wrong?). The whole purpose of this chapter was so I wouldn't have to describe the great hall in the next one:p
Thanks to Cat in the Web! Actually, there isn't anything more about the Takatori's in this one. Sorry. I moved on to the main event.
