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

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter 14: Plan of Action

A tense silence settled over those gathered in the Healer's house.

"They have a seer," Yohji stated with a frown.

"A powerful one," Omi agreed. "With a degree of accuracy that is rare."

"A seer?" the Mother asked. "Are you sure?"

"Madame, this was no coincidence," Yohji stated with certainty. "They knew exactly when to strike."

"But what could they hope to gain by such an action?" the elderly nun asked.

"Power," Ran stated coldly.

Omi nodded.

"From all I've read the Sacred Flame at full strength is a very powerful magical...entity," he commented.

"Indeed it is, but that doesn't matter one jot," the Mother harumphed from her twig chair. All four men looked at her and she explained, "As we are sworn to the Flame so it is sworn to us. None but the Sisterhood may touch its power, and we may only do so for the betterment of the world and those upon it. Capturing the Temple won't do them a bit of good. Why they won't even be able to enter the sacred chamber."

"Why not?" Yohji asked absently.

"None but those sworn may enter," the Mother replied. "I'd hate to see the result if anyone tried."

Omi glanced nervously at Ran and Ken as the image from his vision returned to him.

"But they have at least one of the Sisterhood who was unharmed during the attack," Ran said.

The Mother Superior met his eyes, her own went wide and she paled.

"Chiho," she gasped.

"Gentlemen, I think that's enough for now," the Healer said stepping to her patient's side once more. "You have enough information for now. She needs to rest."

Yohji nodded then smiled at the distressed nun.

"Don't you worry, my Lady," he said soothingly. "We're here, and we won't be leaving until all is put to rights."

"But...poor Chiho," the Mother said.

"Now, now," the Prince smiled and petted her good hand. "You said yourself they'll need her, so I expect she's unharmed. Don't fret."

She nodded and he rose to leave. Omi and Ran fell in behind him, but Ken stepped forward and took the Prince's place on the stool.

"May I?" he asked with a grin and rested one hand on her head and the other on her injured arm. He shut his eyes and breathed out a long, slow sigh. The nun gasped and Ken smiled. He opened his eyes and released her with a wink. "That oughtta help a little. Take care."

The Mother Superior stared after him as he hurriedly caught up to Ran at the door. Artemisia quickly began checking over the elderly nun, muttering in shock under her breath. When she turned to the door the four young men were gone.

"I do believe all will be well after all," the Mother said with a smile.

After leaving the Healer's Yohji led them back to the tavern where they questioned the few Sisters who'd been given rooms at the inn. There they learned more details about the attack.

One Sister described the distress she suffered from visions of torment and voices promising cruel and endless torture. She had been certain she was going mad and had run screaming until the loud ringing of the summoning bell had distracted her. It broke the hold of the visions and allowed her to focus enough to escape, although the visions hadn't stopped until they'd reached the village.

Another Sister told them of the "demon beasts". She'd come from the tribes beyond the mountains that live on the ice plains, and to her the beasts appeared to be horribly altered wolves, hungry for blood. The poor woman had seen the creatures attack two of the Sisters who'd entered the service of the Flame the same season she had. She was still suffering from nightmares and had started to doubt her calling. She was by no means alone, and the few Sisters who were left mostly unscathed were working to sooth the fears of the rest. Ken healed those with physical wounds and wished he could do more.

By evening the four men from the First House had canvassed the entire village and spoken to all those willing to give them audience. Although tired and hungry they returned to the inn with a clear picture of events the night of the attack. What they'd learned served to both confirm some of their suspicions and harden their resolve.

They sat down to dinner weary and worried, choosing a table in the corner of the tavern where they hoped they wouldn't be overheard.

"A seer, a telepath, and a blood witch or warlock," Yohji stated. "The gods only know what else is up there."

"If the seer is as powerful as you say then surely they know of our presence," Ran said slowly. He glanced at Ken who had his head down, resting on his arms.

"Not necessarily," Omi cautioned. "Although I had a vision of the Sacred Flame it didn't include the attack or whoever is responsible for it. When there are two seers focusing on the same situation or place, but working at cross purposes, they often will cancel each other out. But I do believe that this explains the nightmares Ken was having."

"You had a vision about the Sacred Fire?" Ken asked curiously, raising his head.

"Y-yes," Omi nodded. "A brief one."

Ran narrowed his eyes at the seer, but turned his attention to Ken.

"You pushed yourself too far," he said softly.

"Naw, I'll be okay once I eat somethin'," Ken smiled and brushed aside the Lord's concern. "What was your vision?"

"Nothing special," Omi said. "A forest in summer. Someone laughing. A child crying. A vague feeling of unease."

Ran narrowed his eyes again.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"I saw...I saw the two of you," Omi sighed. "You were in what I took to be the sacred chamber inside the Temple. You were facing the Flame."

Ken sat up.

"But that old nun said..."

"What happened?" Ran demanded.

Omi glanced first at Yohji then at Ken before facing Ran again.

"The Flame consumed you," he said in a defeated whisper. The two lovers stared at their friend. "It was my hope that we could determine whether the Flame was renewed without coming north, but now that we're here we can hardly leave. Not after the attack."

"Your vision might not mean that that's what will happen," Yohji interjected. "Omi, your visions are usually clear, however not all visions are meant as warnings. Some are meant to impart important information that can't be gathered any other way."

"Meaning what?" Ran asked.

"Meaning that the vision served to convince us that the fate of the Flame should be taken seriously," the Prince replied with some authority, then he smirked. "And perhaps a clue that we misinterpreted at the time."

Ran frowned and Ken pouted.

"Hunh?" the former servant asked.

"We assumed it confirmed that the two of you would come here and by then be on intimate terms with one another," Yohji smiled. "But in retrospect I think it may have meant something else."

"You mean the renewal," Omi said with a hint of relief.

"Indeed," Yohji nodded.

"But I didn't do anything," Ken objected.

"I'm not entirely convinced of that," the Prince said with another smirk. "The night after Ran's birthday the Flame was renewed, and suddenly Ken can use Ran's telepathy as if it were his own. Your connection has become stronger. Even Aya can see it now."

Ran continued to frown but considered. Yohji's train of reasoning made sense. Especially when he recalled his inability to control himself the night of his birthday and the dream that Ken had the night after that. The night the Flame was renewed.

"Let us return to the subject at hand," he stated. "What are we going to do about the attack on the Temple? Regardless of who did this, or whether they know of our arrival, they can not be allowed to remain there."

"I agree," Yohji said with a knowing smile.

They were interrupted by the inn keeper's son and daughter who came bearing their dinners, four bowls of stew and a loaf of bread fresh from the oven, along with four goblets of wine.

"A pot 'a tea's started for ya, Highness," the little girl said with a curtsy. "Just as ya asked."

"Thank you. The meal looks delicious," the Prince stated with a formal nod of acceptance.

The son and daughter giggled and scurried away.

Ken dug into his stew immediately, gratefully accepting the large slice of bread Ran handed him. For several moments they ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Although Ken wasn't oblivious to the glances cast his way by Omi and Ran, or the occasional smiles that played around Yohji's mouth.

As they came to the bottom of their bowls the tea arrived, as did the Mother Superior followed by a large number of the Sisterhood. Those from the village who'd chosen to eat in the tavern eagerly moved to make room for them. Soon the limited floor space was filled from wall to wall with white robed women.

The four men blinked up at them.

"My Lady, are you well enough to be out in the evening air?" the Prince asked.

"I am, thanks to the young man seated across from you," the elderly nun said with a smile. "In fact, I can say that I've never felt better in my life. May I know your name, young man?"

"Ken," the former servant answered almost shyly, staring around at all the women. He was grateful to have Ran between himself and them, and the support of the wall to his right. Women made him nervous, and he'd never seen quite so many in so small a space.

"Ken," the Mother said with a gentle smile. "And you are a healer?"

He nodded.

"And...a twin?" she asked carefully.

When he nodded again she sighed and smiled wider.

"And the son of a Great House," she said.

It wasn't a question, but he nodded again anyway.

"Thank you, Ken," she said and the way she said it made him suspect she was speaking of more than what he'd done for her that afternoon. He glanced nervously at the throng of women again and nodded before picking up a mug of tea to focus on. "Your Highness, may I join you?" she asked, suddenly quite serious.

"Of course," Yohji said and Omi made to move before she stopped him. A chair was brought from some other table and she sat at the end of theirs'.

"Now, have you decided yet what you are going to do?" she asked.

"We were just getting to that," Yohji said with a smirk.

"Ah, excellent. Well, I've been thinking," the Mother nodded. "After you left me I organized a meeting of some of the elder and more learned Sisters. Something occurred to us, and we feel there may be a danger."

"You mean besides the seer, the telepath, and the demonic beasts?" Ran asked without a hint of humor.

"Yes," she replied, then she looked at him and smiled. "I'm sorry, may I have your name as well?"

"My apologies, my Lady," Yohji said hastily. "This is Lord Ran Fujimiya, ward to my father, King Renjiro. Lord Fujimiya is paired to Ken. And the young man to my right is Omi Tsukiyono, a seer to the First House."

"A pleasure," the Mother said with a nod to each. "Now where was I? Oh, yes, indeed, there is a danger. You see, we are powerless until the rituals of renewal have been performed."

"Rituals of renewal?" Omi asked with interest.

"Something to link you into the new Flame's power," Yohji guessed.

"Yes. As the Flame is renewed, so we too renew our vows to serve and must be let again into the use of the Flame's power," she explained. "Because of the attack the rituals have not taken place. Worse yet they have Chiho. She is the conduit between us and the Flame."

"They can use her to get to the Flame's power," Yohji stated.

"Yes, I believed they can," the Mother nodded. "If, as you say, they have a telepath."

The four men turned grim faced. They looked at one another. Yohji nodded.

XXXXXXXXXX

Ran sat alone in the room he and Ken were going to share, and stared into the empty, unlit fire place. Breathing out slowly he closed his eyes and opened his mind.

"Aya," he thought.

"I'm here, Niisan," she answered, her cheery, bright presence filling his mind. "The King is anxious for news, but before we start, how was the trip?"

He hesitated before answering, briefly the memory of his and Ken's activities in the coach flashed through his mind.

Aya giggled.

"I see. Well, I guess I'll keep that to myself," she said.

Ran cringed. He could feel himself blushing.

"Please do," he said, chagrined.

"Now to more serious business," Aya said suddenly, and her thoughts held an edge of urgency. "The King is with me now and he wants news. Tell me slowly. I'm writing in long hand so he can read over my shoulder."

"We arrived this afternoon," Ran began slowly, as she'd requested. He reiterated all they'd learned since arriving in the village. He included their discussions with the Mother Superior and mentioned how the elderly nun had thanked Ken.

"So she believes it was Ken who renewed the Flame?" Aya asked and Ran guessed it was her own curiosity rather than the King's.

"I think so, yes."

"Hmmm. What about the attack? What are your plans?" she asked.

"We're going to the Temple. Tonight," he answered. "Yohji doesn't want to wait. It appears as though whoever is up there isn't expecting us, and he doesn't want to and risk any word reaching them."

Aya's thoughts were silent for a moment, but pensive. Ran waited for her response.

"His Majesty agrees," she said at last, sounding worried. "If the perpetrators have the skills you suspect then the sooner you act the better. Will you need assistance?"

"No. We dare not wait for it," he replied.

"Very well. Niisan, please be careful."

"We will," Ran assured her.

"No worries, Sissie," Ken interjected, his thoughts bursting into theirs'.

"I can't help it," Aya replied. "Take care, both of you. I love you."

The link between them faded and Ran felt the familiar throb of pain inside his head. Groaning, he began gently massaging his temples, but he'd barely begun when two warm hands pushed his aside. Tiny threads of magic laced through his skull and the pain vanished.

"You shouldn't have done that, but thank you," Ran said tipping his head back to look up at Ken.

The brunet smiled down at him.

"I told you, I'm fine. All I needed was a good meal," Ken said. "But you need to be ready for tonight."

He leaned down and kissed Ran on the forehead then released his temples and moved around to sit in the chair opposite him.

"So, you heard all that?" the Lord asked, watching his lover.

Ken nodded.

"I think Yohji's right too," he said. "It's only been two days and the villagers haven't done anything but lock the gates. As long as they don't know about us I think we've got a good shot at gettin' 'em outta there."

"I hope it is that easy," Ran said with a slight frown. "Ken, it's almost certain that everything you've been learning will be put to the test. Your fighting skills, as well as your magical abilities."

"I know, Ran. I'm not scared."

"I realize that, but you need to recognize the seriousness of this situation. There is great danger here," the red-head stated. "We have no idea exactly how many people are up there or what their potenials could be. And at least one of them is using a forbidden kind of magic."

"You think we should wait for back up from the Palace?" Ken asked.

"No, I believe Yohji is correct. Tonight is our best opportunity for success."

"Then what?"

"I just don't want you to be so...cavalier," Ran said.

Ken pouted fiercely.

"Just because I'm not afraid doesn't mean I'm bein' cavalier," he stated.

Ran sighed, then nodded.

"What time do we leave?" he asked.

"Yohji sent me up here to get you," Ken said still pouting. "It'll take at least an hour to reach the Temple on the hunting trail. If we leave now we'll get there by full dark."

Ran nodded again and rose. Ken followed suit, still pouting.

"Ken, I'm sorry I angered you, but you've only been in actual combat once, and that was only magical in nature," Ran said. "I need to know that you're taking this seriously. I'm worried."

Ken stared at him and his face softened.

"I'm not bein' cavalier, I swear," he said stepping closer to Ran and running his fingers along the front of his waistcoat. "I am takin' this seriously. Don't worry."

Ran studied his face, nodded once and turned to go.

"Then we've no time to waste," he said as he left the room, Ken close on his heels.

XXXXXXXXXX

A larger company then the Prince expected had traveled with them up the hunting trail to the Temple. Not only the armed men from the village, but the Sisterhood as well, had insisted on coming. Even the ones not really well enough to travel. The size of their party had worried the Prince. More people meant more conversation and more chances for discovery, but everyone had kept their thoughts to themselves and their tongues quiet. And in the last vestiges of twilight they stood inside the edge of the forest staring up at the massive stone structure perched on the rocky side of a tall, imposing mountain. They could see the snow at its peak.

Yohji watched the light grow dimmer. He stared at the Temple, then he looked to Ran who was also studying the building. The fire-haired Lord had one hand clasped to Ken's shoulder and the Prince could tell he was using his lover's potential to boost his sight. After a moment he let Ken go and met the Prince's eyes with a scowl.

"I can't see a thing," he said softly.

"Neither can I," the Prince agreed.

"That's not possible, surely," the Mother Superior murmured quietly from just behind them. "The Flame should stand out like a beacon. They can't have extinguished it."

"No, they haven't," Ran agreed.

"Then why can't we see anything?" Ken asked.

"Because someone has set up a shield," Yohji answered. "A powerful one."

"The blood witch?" Omi asked.

"No, someone else," Ran answered and Yohji nodded in agreement.

"We'd see the taint," he said. "Just looking at it we'd feel the evil. No, this means there's another magic user here, and a powerful one to boot."

"So, four opponents then," Omi said.

"That we know of," Ken muttered.

"And we can't use magic," Ran stated.

"Why not?" his lover asked, surprised.

"If we use magic the person who set up that shield will sense it," Yohji explained. "They may sense us anyway, once we get inside, but they'll know where we are and who we are once we use our potentials."

"Oh, well," Ken said with a shrug. He pulled on his bugnuks and flexed his knuckles causing the blades to release. "Ran 'n I'll be okay, but how are you 'n Omi gonna get in now? The horses use magic to fly, right?"

Yohji nodded.

"We'll have to land above the Temple and work our way down on foot," he said.

"Better hurry," Ran said. "Its getting dark." Then he turned to the Mother Superior and asked, "Where's the entrance to the tunnel?"

"Just up ahead," she nodded. "The top of the hill is blocking it from view, but it's there."

Yohji signaled one of their servants who came forward leading the Prince's two dappled gray mares. He took the reins to one and Omi took the other's.

"Remember, Highness, all you have to do is find Chiho and get her to the sacred chamber," the Mother said urgently. "Once the ritual is begun it can not be interrupted, nor the spell broken. Once she is there we will know. We are ready."

The Prince nodded and looked to the blacksmith and the other armed men.

"When the Mother gives you the signal work your way around to the road and charge the front gates," he commanded.

The men bowed in acknowledgment and he and Omi climbed into their saddles.

"Then we are away," Yohji said glancing at Ran and Ken. "Good luck."

"And to you," the Lord replied.

He and Ken remained hidden as the Prince and Omi took to the sky, they bid the Sisterhood and villagers farewell and made their way up the incline of the hill, into the descending darkness. Just as the Mother had said once they crested the hill they could make out a darker spot along the cliff face before them, and made for it. As they got closer it became obvious that a light of some sort was burning somewhere inside. A deep orange glow greeted the oncoming dark.

"Well, that answers one question," Ken muttered under his breath as they approached.

"What was that?" Ran asked.

"How the hell we were gonna see inside the tunnel if we couldn't use light balls," Ken answered. "We didn't bring any lanterns."

"Hn."

They came to the entrance in the rock face and stopped beside it, peering in. Blasts of warm air blew into their faces and ruffled their hair.

"Hot air?" Ken asked.

"Seems so," Ran said and began removing his waistcoat and cravat. Ken eagerly followed suit. "So much for making you train fully clothed."

Ken snorted out a chuckle and looked back inside the tunnel.

"Ready?" Ran asked.

Ken nodded and they moved cautiously inside. The air was indeed hot and before too many steps they were both sweating. The heat increased as they moved deeper inside and it made them feel stifled. The orange glow lit their way and it grew brighter as the heat increased. Before long they could see almost normally, and studied the interior of the tunnel curiously. The walls and floor were almost smooth, and their footsteps crunched on grit left on the floor from the carving of it.

"What did this?" Ken asked softly, his voice full of disturbed wonder. "It doesn't look anything like the tunnels under the Thirteenth House."

"Magic," Ran answered tensely. "Probably the same that created the shields, but I can't be certain without scanning it."

"We're lucky the nuns even noticed it here as they were fleein'," Ken commented.

"Possibly, at that point, there was no shield in place," Ran said. "In that case anyone with an inkling of potential would've been able to sense it. A work that requires this much power disturbs the natural balance of the mountain's energies. It maybe that the attack was meant, in part, to cover its construction."

"You think this person is as powerful as me?" Ken asked, glancing at his lover.

"Perhaps," he said. "They've obviously been well trained, and they're not a novice. I suggest we be very cautious."

Ken pouted in thought, but didn't have a chance to answer as they emerged into a larger chamber. It looked partially cut from the stone and partially natural, as if the tunnel had opened onto a pocket in the rock of the mountain. Several tunnels led off from it. Some wide while others were little more than cracks or fissures in the walls. Some glowed brightly, some lay in darkness. Ken whistled lightly before he could stop himself and Ran glowered at him.

"Sorry," he said.

"You said you were taking this seriously," Ran hissed.

"I am. Its just...I feel comfortable here," Ken confessed. "It's like a home coming."

Ran rolled his eyes and turned to the nearest tunnel. Before he could take a step a low chuckle froze him in his tracks. It rose the hair on the back of his neck and he drew his blade.

"Well, well, well, and what have we here?" came a nasally voice from a side tunnel. "Two little boys come to play? And just when we were getting bored. How delightful."

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: And who could that be? 99

Thanks to angel! Ran and Ken can't help themselves! Keiji did speak to Aya, yes. And he is going to give her some time to think things over. (Renjiro is the King)

Thanks to Cat in the web! Hee-hee-hee! Good, I'm glad I surprised you! The story is coming to an end, but we still have a few more chapters yet. Oh! My Grandfather was German. The way you ended your last review sounded like the way the people in one of my favorite sitcoms speak, and it's Irish.

Thanks to Gillian Sillis! I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to reply by email. We went away over the weekend. I love reading all your theories, but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait and see whether you were right or not. Thanks!