Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken. ;p

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter 13: Start of the Journey

"How long, exactly, have you known about this?" the King demanded as he paced his private study. "And just when, exactly, was I to be informed?"

Before him sat Ran, Ken, and Aya, looking nervous and apprehensive. Behind him stood his two eldest sons and Omi, who had arranged themselves across the room. Yohji and the seer sat on the settee while Keiji leaned against the bookshelves.

"Your Majesty, as you know I began sensing Ken's emotions shortly after the second time he and Ran shared magic," Aya answered.

"And before that?" the King pressed.

"Ken seemed to know when I was communicating with her, although he couldn't "hear" what we were saying," Ran replied.

"But now you can," King Renjiro directed at Ken who simply nodded once. The King narrowed his eyes but chose to ignore the former servant's insolence. "And you did teach him to shield, did you not?"

"Indeed, and successfully too," Aya answered. "I haven't felt a thing from him in the last several weeks."

"Not even in the last few days?" the King asked with an arched eyebrow.

"No, your Majesty," Aya answered quickly, blushing.

The other two turned to stare at her and she blushed harder.

"I swear," she stated.

Ran scowled at the floor, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, and Ken glowered at the King, looking as though he was about to say something but he remained silent. The King smiled.

"You're communicating right now, aren't you?" he asked and Ran met his eyes with a reluctant nod after sending Ken a brief glare. "Is it as easy between you as it is with Aya?"

Ran shifted again.

"Easier," he answered not looking at his sister. "There isn't the discomfort."

Aya pouted, but sat up straight. She took a deep breath and seemed to focus inward for a moment. Ran did the same and Ken glanced at them. After a tense moment Aya released an interested "Ahh", and everyone relaxed. She faced the King again.

"I see it now, your Majesty," she said with a smile. "Ken hasn't suddenly developed telepathy, he's using Ran's ability just as Ran uses Ken's magic. The discomfort isn't there because he isn't reaching outside himself to "speak" with Ken like he has to with me."

Ran blinked at her.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "How come I couldn't feel his emotions then?"

"Because he was using you to send them. Sort of as one would use a page here in the Palace. The page may carry the message, but not necessarily read it. At that point I'm not even sure Ken was aware of what he was doing," she explained. "When he started shielding really what he was doing was shielding himself from your ability. I should've seen it sooner. He was always there with you after you were paired. Like a shadow. Now I understand why."

"Will Ken be able to send to you long distance?" the King asked.

Aya looked at her brother's partner.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps. But if Ran were incapacitated I don't think he could," she replied. "Since he's using Ran's ability, if Ran weren't able to use it himself I'm not sure Ken could."

"We will test this," the King stated. "It will be essential for you to communicate back and forth while you are in the north. I want you to test yourselves. Find out if Ken can send long distance as Ran can. I want to know if it's as clear and easy. Understood?"

They all nodded and the King chuckled.

"Good. Now stop moping. I wish every coupling produced new abilities," he said. "Imagine it."

There were several groans, some snickering, and an indignant snort from Ran, but the King gave them their leave for the rest of the afternoon. They were to have one last set of practices and Aya had duties she had to see to. Once they were away the King turned to his sons and Omi.

"Well?" he demanded.

Yohji and Keiji exchanged glances.

"Magically he appears unchanged," the crown Prince replied.

"Although his connection to Ran is much stronger now. Much more defined," Yohji added. "Aya would easily detect it now even if she couldn't before."

"But no sign of anything new?" King Renjiro pressed.

"Not that I could find," Keiji muttered.

Yohji shook his head.

"Very well," the King sighed. "Let us hope that closer proximity to the Flame will produce the desired result."

"Actually, I'm not sure that's necessary," Omi interjected. "It maybe that they've already taken the final step toward the Flame's renewal." The seer paused and blushed deeply. "That is...if they've...a-hem...if they have become lovers."

"Oh, they have," Yohji chuckled.

"What do you mean, Omi?" Keiji asked.

"Well, from what we could gather, every man on our list had a male lover," the seer explained. "And if, as Yohji said, their connection is stronger now, well that can only be because they've shared magic again. Why else would they? Neither of them have been ill or injured. The Flame may even have been renewed already."

The three royals exchanged glances with raised eyebrows.

"Well, let us hope that it has," the King said soberly. "I feel that our time is growing short, and I'm afraid those texts, though ancient, may have been right."

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning dawned hot and humid with dark clouds on the horizon promising rain. Breakfast was a hurried affair in their private rooms as servants dashed in and out, removing luggage and searching for last minute items. They were to leave before mid-morning, immediately following a formal send-off from the King and Queen. Since the trip was being hailed as Keiji's royal tour of the Boarder Houses the focus would be on him. Ran, Ken, Yohji, and Omi were commonly believed to be going as his escorts, something Ran and Yohji had done many a time before. Three coaches were to depart along with a host of riders. Only the King, his cabinet, and the royal family knew that two of the coaches would be heading due north after the initial jump, and that Manx would be riding inside Keiji's coach as his personal guard.

As the last of their luggage was removed from their room Ran and Ken joined Yohji, Keiji and Omi in the hall. Together they made their way out of the royal apartment, down the grand staircase and into the throne room. Cheers rose from those gathered and the King delivered an inspiring speech about welcoming the Boarder Houses back fully into the fold. They were toasted and then everyone made their way down the lawns to the waiting coaches, where the crowds kept a respectful distance while the King, Queen, and Aya said their good byes.

"Keiji, be well. We shall see you in three months time," King Renjiro said grasping his son by the shoulders. "Don't be afraid to enjoy yourself, but be aware of the dangers of overindulgence. I don't need to remind you that you are the representative of the First House and there to set an example."

"Of course not, Father," the crown Prince replied. "I feel safe in promising you that I shall return unscathed and as free as you find me here."

"Good lad," his Majesty said embracing his son and thumping him on the back.

Keiji's eyes slipped sideways to Aya and he winked. She blushed. The Queen caught hold of her first son as she released Yohji to the King.

"Yohji, I dare say you have the more work this trip," King Renjiro said to his younger son.

"I always do, Father," the lanky Prince smiled. "Once we've seen our task completed we'll rejoin Keiji's tour. With luck he won't be out of our sight for long."

His Majesty nodded and embraced him. The Queen released Keiji and latched onto both Ran and Ken. The crown Prince stepped aside and took Aya's hand.

"I shall return to you with my mind unchanged, but you shall have the time you wished for," he said softly.

"I'll be looking forward to your return," she replied with a small smile.

He kissed her hand and stepped aside as the Queen loosed Ran and Ken to the King.

"Be good," he said and gave Ken a sharp glance.

They accepted his embraces and then Ran sought out his sister.

"Aya," he called and caught her up in a tight hug. "I'm sorry to be leaving again."

"I know it can not be helped," she said in his ear. "Don't worry, Niisan, I have plenty to occupy me. And I shall be looking forward to your communications. Every night."

"I promise," Ran said without loosening his hold.

"Be careful."

"We shall," Ran nodded, releasing her.

"And you too," Aya said latching onto Ken.

"I will, Sissie," he said giving her a tight hug.

"Do you have any idea what you have to do?" the Queen asked as they parted.

"Nope," Ken answered with a grin.

"Wonderful," the King sighed.

"Don't worry, your Majesty," Ken said with a wink, "if anyone can start a fire it's a wood boy."

The King barked out a laugh over the collective groan. One of the groomsmen standing by cleared his throat and they all hastily climbed aboard their respective coaches. The King, the Queen, and Aya stepped back to watch them go. Within minutes they were soaring above the court yard and turning to circle the Palace. The crowd waved them away as they disappeared from view. Across the front terraces more people waved as they passed, crossed the plain and disappeared through the gate.

XXXXXXXXXX

Their trip north was expected to take them about half the time it had taken them to come from the Thirteenth House. Ken had learned that the gates were situated all over the kingdom, but anchored by each Great House as it took a tremendous amount of magic to maintain them. They had been established centuries before, immediately after the Great War, and were permanent fixtures. The towns and cities that lay between the gates could only be reached by roads, known as the trade routes. They followed the paths of the gates, but were rarely used by royalty or anyone from the Great Houses. They were maintained for the common folk and those from the lower houses. The people who could not afford to have horses and carriages that had been magically altered for flight.

Ken thought he'd like to travel the roads one day, just to see the land and meet the people who lived on it. He'd enjoyed the bit of traveling he'd been able to do around the environs of the Thirteenth House, when he'd been searching for the Nohara Kin'iro. And travel by air, though relatively quick, was also dull.

The air around their coach sizzled and flashed as the plain beneath them was replaced by the tops of closely grown pine trees.

Ken sighed.

"I remember this," he muttered.

Ran smirked at him but his eyes were drawn to the window at the sounding of a bell. Keiji's coach and the mounted escort pulled away and turned due east. An answering bell rang from Yohji's coach and they felt their own turning to follow the younger Prince's northward. Ken and Ran watched Keiji's coach and the escort for a few minutes.

"Shouldn't he be heading north-east?" Ken asked after a moment.

"No. He's following the same route I took last fall, which began at the Fifth House and moved northward to the Thirteenth," Ran said. "He'll break the trip in half by staying at the Seventh House for a few days. It's a longer trip to the Fifth House than it is from the Thirteenth."

"When'll we get to the Temple?"

"Mid-afternoon," Ran answered. "We'll stop for lunch and to rest the horses at a way-station after our next jump. From there we'll go to the last gate on our northern boarder, up near the Eighth House. That'll take us close enough to the boarder so we can fly over it, and up through the pass in the mountains. There's a village at the foot of the one the Temple sits on. We'll be landing there."

Ken leaned sideways into Ran, a naughty glint in his eyes.

"So we have some time then," he smirked.

Ran's eyes widened and he glanced around the confines of the coach as if searching for witnesses. Ken laughed huskily.

"We can't...Ken, no, not here."

"Why not?"

"There are servants..."

"They're outside," Ken said leaning in closer and tracing Ran's ear with the tip of his nose.

"They could hear..."

"With all that wind?" Ken's hand slid up Ran's chest toward the knot in his cravat.

"The coach will rock, it'll..."

"Its already rockin'," Ken said with a smile.

His fingers deftly undid the cravat and his lips claimed a spot on Ran's neck. The red-head groaned.

"Keeennnn," he sighed in surrender.

"It'll be fun," the former servant giggled.

"What am I going to do with you?" Ran asked, then pinned Ken to the seat of the coach and ravished him.

XXXXXXXXXX

Two hours and another gate later they landed at a way-station, where the horses were removed from their harnesses, watered and fed, and they were to eat lunch.

Yohji and Omi climbed gratefully from the Prince's coach, glad to be able to stretch out in the fresh air. They turned to watch Ran and Ken exit their coach and blinked in surprise. Their hair and clothes were disheveled. Their cheeks were flushed, and their lips red and swollen. Ran began systematically trying to straighten his clothes out. Ken smiled broadly and stretched.

"Will the wonders never cease?" Yohji chuckled and Ran scowled at him. "I'm glad you two could find something to pass the time. I knew you were loosening up, Ran, but I never expected this!"

"Yohji," the Lord hissed. "Mind your tongue."

"I apologize. I'm just so stunned, shocked really. Ken, I'd like to shake your hand," the Prince announced and held his hand out.

Ken snickered and shook it.

Omi turned a brilliant shade of red, muttered something about being glad he hadn't ridden with them, and spun around to head into the way-station for lunch. Ran frowned darkly at the Prince and his lover. He turned on his heel and followed the seer.

"Uh-oh," Ken muttered.

"Don't worry about it," Yohji chuckled. He slapped Ken warmly on the back and propelled him toward the way-station. "If you could get him hot and bothered in the coach then I'm certain you'll have no trouble thawing him back out."

Ken pouted but allowed himself to be guided into the dining area inside the way-station. They joined Ran and Omi at one of the small tables where an attendant was setting out covered dishes. Their servants filed in after seeing to the horses and filled another two tables. Everyone ate silently for a few minutes before several quiet conversations started up. But Ran ignored everyone and refused to be drawn out. After several attempts Ken gave up and their meal was finished in a tense silence.

XXXXXXXXXX

The tension followed them back into their coach and into the air.

Ran took out the book he'd intended to read on the trip. He put on his spectacles and buried his nose in it. Ken sat and watched him.

"Ran, how can I apologize if you won't speak to me?" he whined, pouting.

Ran didn't move.

"Come on, Ran. I'm sorry Yohji teased you and I didn't beat him, okay?"

Ran glanced at him over the rims of his spectacles. Ken pouted piteously. The Lord turned away quickly and looked out the window.

"I forgive you," he muttered then stared resolutely back into his book.

"That's it?" Ken whined.

"Look, what we have is between us and no one else. I don't like anyone even knowing about it, let alone having their insinuations confirmed by you," Ran stated with a glare.

Ken blinked, taken aback.

"Why don't you want anyone to know?" he asked.

"I just...when it comes to you I find myself unable to exert the amount of control over myself I'm accustomed to, and I don't like being out of control," Ran said with a frown. "And Yohji's teasing is insufferable at the best of times. He doesn't need you encouraging him."

Ran closed his book with sigh.

"I wanted this to just be for us," he said. "Just for a bit. I should've known better than to think we could keep it quiet."

The red-headed Lord pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"I apologize for my behavior," he said. "I'm possessive of you and my time with you. I don't want to share any of it with anyone."

Ken slid across the seat and wrapped Ran in his arms.

"I'm sorry. I want the whole world to know we're together," he said. "I'm happy and excited. But I won't encourage Yohji anymore. I promise."

"Thank you."

"And I think I embarrassed Omi too," Ken said, abashed.

"Hn."

Ken gave Ran a big kiss on the cheek, released him and slid back to his own side of the seat. The red-head watched him curiously.

"Go ahead 'n read," the brunet said with a smile. "I'll behave myself."

The Lord smiled a little skeptically but donned his spectacles again and re-opened his book.

XXXXXXXXXX

As Ran had guessed they exited the last gate two hours later and began their ride north to the boarder, and then through the mountains. The farmed plains stretched right up to the foot of the range that marked the northern boarder. As they glided down from their higher elevation they could see the pass that lead to the village and then the Temple. A wide corridor that wound its way due north between the towering snow covered peaks. It was heavily forested with a tiny ribbon of road visible along its center. Every so often a cleared patch of ground marked a homestead or farm. The air coming into the coaches grew colder and their ride less smooth as winds began to buffet them.

An hour of rough travel later the coaches dropped out of the sky to land smoothly on the gravel roadway and within moments they were approaching the gates to a large village. But before they reached them the coaches pulled up short. Yohji threw up his window and leaned out.

"What's the hold up?" he called up to his driver.

"The gates are closed, your Highness," came the answer. "Three men are coming through. They're armed, my Prince."

Yohji frowned and glanced back at Ran and Ken's coach behind them. The red-headed Lord was also leaning out his window, a scowl of concern marring his features. Yohji signaled him to sit tight.

"State your name and your business," came a shout from the front of the coach.

"His Royal Highness Prince Yohji Kuduo, second son to His Majesty King Renjiro of the First House of the Kingdom of Engumi, here on official business for the crown," Yohji's driver shouted back.

There was a moment of silence during which he guessed the men were discussing what his arrival could mean, and whether to let them enter or not. He wondered what could have happened to cause such extreme measures in a reportedly peaceful village. He'd never heard of any violence in this area of the world. Life up north was just too hard, took too much effort, for any of the nonsense that usually caused public disorder.

Just as he was about to call out to his driver the coach began moving forward. They rolled their way through the gates, which closed again behind them, and entered the village itself. Finally they came to a stop before the small tavern and inn where they were hoping to obtain rooms.

Yohji quickly clambered out of the coach, not waiting for a footman to assist him. Omi was close behind him. They approached the group of men waiting for them. They appeared to be villagers who'd armed themselves with whatever came to hand. One had a pitchfork, another a metal mallet, while the third had dug up an old rusty sword from somewhere.

"Good day, Sirs," the Prince greeted cautiously, presenting them with a polite bow while his hand remained on his sword hilt. "I am Prince Yohji Kuduo."

"Your Highness," the men said, obviously surprised by his immediate appearance. They bowed clumsily in return.

"What has happened to cause you to lock your gates and move about armed?" Yohji asked carefully.

"An attack," the lead man answered. He was stocky and dressed in blacksmith's leathers. He was the one carrying the mallet. "Up at the Temple."

Omi gasped audibly.

"Someone has attacked the Sisterhood?" Yohji asked with a tight frown.

The men nodded grimly.

"Aye, night afore last, 'n hour or so after midnight," the blacksmith added.

"By the gods," Omi muttered just as Ran and Ken joined them. The men gave them a cursory glance and a nod of welcome, but remained focused on the Prince.

"The Sisters?" he asked quietly.

"Most got out," the blacksmith answered. "They're here, in the village. Folks 're puttin' 'em up. A few 're at the inn. Mother Superior got hurt. She's wi' the healer."

"And the Flame?" Yohji demanded.

The man shrugged.

"Don't know," he answered. "They couldn't take it 'wi 'em."

The Prince visibly smothered his frustration.

"Who is it that attacked them?" Ran asked suddenly.

"A horde 'o demons," a man in farmer's clothes hissed softly. His hands twisted around the pitchfork he was holding and he glanced around nervously as though frightened that the horde would suddenly appear and devour them.

Ran scowled.

"Demons?" Ken asked wide eyed.

"Naw, weren't demons," the blacksmith said dismissively. "Not sure what or who it were. Somemat powerful. Only the Sisters 'cn say fer sure. They been quiet. Real quiet."

"This is most unfortunate," Yohji muttered. "Where is your healer located?"

The group as a whole pointed down the dirt road away from the inn. A few buildings down was a two story, stone structure with a sign over the door bearing a picture of a hand holding up one bandaged finger. The four companions stared at it for a moment.

"Kinda obvious, hunh?" Ken commented.

"Thank you," Yohji said, bowing to the three armed villagers.

"Highness, why is it you're here?" the last of the men asked as they turned to go to the healer's. He was wearing threadbare baker's whites and carrying the rusty sword.

"We have come in response to a summons from the Sisterhood," the Prince answered with a reassuring smile. "Though we had no idea about the attack until now."

Yohji paused and turned to his head groom and called out a series of instructions. The horses were already housed in the inn's meager stables and their footmen had pulled the luggage from the coaches. While they were at the healer's their servants were to secure their rooms, either at the inn or elsewhere, and then to take their leisure. When he was done they walked the short distance to the healer's, the group of villagers following along behind like curious children. As they approached the door of the small stone building opened and a woman not many years older than the Prince peered out. Yohji stopped just short of her door and bowed extravagantly. Ran, Ken and Omi followed suit.

"Would you by any chance be the healer?" the lanky Prince asked.

"Indeed, Sir. My name is Artemisia, and may I ask who you are? It isn't everyday this village sees gentlemen of such distinction," she said with a smile, her voice was smooth and calming.

"I am Prince Yohji, third in line to the throne of Engumi, and these are Lord Ran Fujimiya, Master Ken Hidaka, and Master Omi Tsukiyono. We are here in response to a plea from the Sisterhood of the Sacred Flame," Yohji explained. The healer's face registered cautious surprise. "We've just arrived and have been informed of the attack. These men have also said the Mother Superior is here. Please tell us, is she well and may we see her?"

Artemisia studied them for a moment with a serious set to her jaw.

"Wait here a moment, please," she said and disappeared back inside her home. She wasn't gone long. Within moments she was back and motioning them inside. "Please, this way."

Yohji thanked the men who'd followed them and bid them farewell before stepping inside the healer's home. It was small, but neat and clean. The downstairs was all one room, open to the back where an herb garden was visible through an open door. The floor was tile and divided up by curtained screens which stood between several unoccupied beds. This was obviously where she saw her patients. In the far corner, by the back door, sat a robust elderly woman in a chair made of bent twigs. She was dressed in a simple white robe and despite the bandage wrapped around her head, and the sling that kept one arm in place, she grinned at them in welcome.

"Do they know of the attack, Artemisia?" she asked the healer.

"Yes, Mother. Jence and his fellows greeted them," the other woman answered as she led the men through her space. "The gods know I've tried to convince them to put down their weapons and return to their trades, but they're still afraid there'll be an attack here."

"Give them time, my Dear," the Mother Superior smiled. "Now, which of you is the Prince?"

Yohji bowed low and then kissed her uninjured hand.

"Prince Yohji Kuduo, at your service, my Lady," he said with a rakish smile.

"Oh, so gallant," the Mother chuckled. "Well, although your charms are wasted on me I do appreciate the effort."

"If they are appreciated then the effort is never wasted," Yohji replied with another dazzling smile.

"Oh, if I weren't sworn to the Flame," the Mother chuckled again.

Yohji settled himself on a stool provided by Artemisia and his expression turned sober.

"Now, my Lady, just who or what was it that attacked you?" he asked.

"Of that, Highness, I am not entirely certain," she answered. "I was just leaving the Sacred Chamber after Chiho renewed the Flame to get help for the poor girl."

"Then the Flame has been renewed?" Omi asked suddenly, his large blue eyes gone wide.

"Indeed it has, young Sir," the Mother nodded. "Not half an hour before the attack. Chiho did it, and it quite did her in, poor child."

"Hah!" Ken blurted out with a wide grin. "See? I didn't have to do anything. All that worry for nuthin'."

"Shhh," Ran said and ignored Ken's pout. "Please continue."

"Well, as I said, the renewal did Chiho in. She collapsed onto the floor and I was unable to rouse her. I am not as young and limber as I used to be, and I wasn't able to lift her alone. So I fled the chamber to call for help. But when I reached the summoning bell in the great hall I found the cloister in chaos. Sisters ran everywhere, screaming and crying. Some ran from nothing but pulled at their hair as though tormented from within. Others were being chased by dark shadowy creatures. Great vile things with glowing red eyes. I've never seen anything like it."

She paused, gone quite pale, and pressed a shaking hand to her heart. Artemisia was beside her instantly and held a cup to her lips. The Mother took a sip and then a larger swallow. The liquid seemed to sooth her nerves and after a moment more she was collected once again.

"Don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed," the healer said gently.

"Yes. Thank you," the Mother nodded. "Where was I? Oh, yes. I didn't know what else to do, so I rang the summoning bell. It calls the Sisters to meals and worship. Most of them responded immediately. They gathered together in the great hall as we have been trained to do, and we fled the cloister and the Temple. But a few of us didn't make it, and poor Chiho was still unconscious in the sacred chamber."

She paused again to worry the edge of her sling with her finger tips. After a moment of thought she looked pointedly at Yohji.

"The thing that's been troubling me most, Highness, is the timing of the whole business," she stated.

"What do you mean?" the Prince asked.

"Well, whoever or whatever did this managed to choose the exact moment that our defenses were dwindled to nothing," she said. "At the moment of rebirth the old Flame dies, and our power dies along with it. Either they were very lucky or...they knew exactly when to attack us, the very moment that we'd be at our weakest and unable to defend ourselves."

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Dom-dom-dom:D I decided to update early because I'm sick and feel like crap. :(

Thanks to BoXx! Well, I'm glad I updated early then. I usually wait until after work, but the last two chapters I've been too excited about posting to wait. Yep, they're together and everyone knows, and now they're up north! Time to get this plot wound up!

Thanks to angel! Yay! Another person giggling! That is one of my main goals in life!

Thanks to Cat in the Web! Ran and Ken are always my main agenda. I can't help it. You wouldn't by any chance be Irish, would you? Just curious!