Title: Kingdom of Treason
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors Notes: Thanks everyone so much for the reviews. I had a lot of questions about the second letter. Don't worry, I didn't forget about it. Keep reading. We're moving closer to the end every chapter.
That night Endymion sat with Jedeite late into the darkness, discussing their situation within the hearing range of everyone in the camp. If the King had spies here, they would report back to him. They talked about their current situation, and made plans on moving in to finish off parts of the enemy army. The talked of their dead and wounded, and about retrieving bodies. They decided that it wouldn't be practical to do it before the battle was won, but they would honor the dead soldiers when they were able. If someone was listening, they would have had an account of a real war, and wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
When they were done, Endymion walked through the camp as he usually would, speaking softly to some soldiers and listening to their stories of home. He cared, and it would be unusual if he didn't. But his heart wasn't in it.
"You've been distracted," Jedeite said. "You have to be careful. If there's something bothering you to this degree then……"
"I just can't figure it out," Endymion said.
"What?"
"Her letter," Endymion said.
"There was a letter?"
Endymion nodded. "She says goodbye and she was complacent and emotionless about it. Even if it's true, she's not like that."
"How do you know?"
It was true. How did he know? If she was indeed playing a part, then he didn't know her at all. He hated that he was suddenly doubting her, but why not? They weren't in love and they hadn't really been together long. They weren't even together. She was a servant and would do anything he asked of her. Her whole life she had been trained to play a part, and she could have been playing it all this time. He didn't want to believe that was true, but he knew he would be a fool not to.
A messenger came suddenly galloping into the encampment and Jedeite and Endymion looked up at him in surprise.
"The King has ordered your immediate return," the messenger said bowing.
Endymion looked at him confused. "Return? We're in the middle of a war."
"Yes, but it is his order."
There was silence all around. Soldiers had all had gotten up all around them, listening in with wide eyes. For their commander to leave in the middle of battle was almost unheard of.
"This can't be good," Jedeite said.
Endymion hesitated. "Keep doing what we're doing Jedeite, and make sure we're ready at the appointed time. If we're going to take out the enemy, we have to follow through exactly."
"I understand," Jedeite said bowing gently.
Endymion quickly moved back to his tent and gathered what he needed. By the time he got out his horse had been saddled and brought to him.
This was all odd. Something wasn't right.
He quickly looked at the soldiers around him.
"I shall return as soon as possible. Until then, General Jedeite will take command. By following him you are following me."
They seemed to nod as one, trusting in his word. Endymion considered defying the King on this. His men would be disheartened without him, and he didn't want them to feel abandoned before going to war. War had always been a delicate scale, and his departure could tip it in favor of their enemies. In this case, the King.
"What if he's discovered what we're doing?" Jedeite whispered beside him.
"Then I'll find out. But it's impossible, for the only letters allowed into the city from our camp your boy has carried. The King could not have his spies informing him of our events."
Jedeite just nodded as Endymion kicked his great horse into a run.
He rode through the night and the following morning, not resting unless his horse needed it.
He was anxious. His brother had never cared if he were home or not, and he had certainly never done something so disturbing to his chances of winning over another Kingdom.
The sun was once again ablaze in the sky when the city came into view.
By the time he reached the palace he was nearly faint with exhaustion, but he walked swiftly and strongly so that no one might see his sudden weakness.
"Where is the King?" He demanded from the nearest guard.
There was a pause.
"His Majesty is not within the palace today."
Endymion was shocked. "What?"
The guard looked terrified. "He left early this morning, only saying he would returned tomorrow."
He was enraged, and that was putting it mildly. Diamond had sent for him, knowing he would be there within a day, and then left. He had left and not told anyone where he was going. Of course the King couldn't move around without someone knowing, so he could find out.
He stormed into the palace, giving orders to everyone who passed. They shuddered and hid at his anger.
Endymion could feel it burning through him. Diamond had pulled some stupid stunts while they were growing up, but this was not a game. This was war, and what he was doing could destroy everything they had worked for. In that moment, he once again felt the hatred he had for his brother grow until he appeared in his mind to be nothing more than a monster, instead of the brother he once knew.
Despite his anger, this at least gave him time to find Serenity.
He went straight to the ladies courtyard and stopped in front of the two guards there.
"What happened to her?" He asked.
They looked at each other, then around.
"The lady Serenity left the same day that you did. She packed all her things and has not been heard from since."
"Did she give you a letter for me?"
The other guard shook his head. "No your highness."
Endymion felt his shoulders sag with frustration. Was it really possible that she had been playing a role?
"But she did give us a letter for lord Kunzite."
Endymion felt his anger melt away into surprise. "Kunzite?"
"Yes Sir, I delivered it myself the very next day. No other letter was entrusted to us."
"But I did receive a letter from her," he said more to himself.
"She must have used the usual letter service of the King."
He shook his head. That didn't make any sense.
"Is there anyone left in the courtyard?" He asked.
"Yes your highness, most of the ladies are still there."
"Thank you," he said turning to walk away.
He made it to his room without meeting a single person. The King had truly dismissed nearly all the staff in the palace. Even his servant outside the door was gone. The palace was almost completely silent. His steps echoed over the marble walls and ceiling, making him seem smaller than usual.
His room was almost as he left it. Almost.
Endymion knew that the King would have gone through his rooms when he left, that's why he never left anything here. His important documents would either be taken with him, or given to Kunzite for safe keeping. He wasn't a fool. He hadn't left a trace behind. If the King knew something, it wasn't from him.
He made his way to his bedroom and looked around.
It reminded him of her.
Endymion ran a hand through his hair, feeling frustrated and unsure. For so long things had been moving smoothly and without flaw, and now he had been thrown into a whirlwind of chaos. The King was acting obviously suspicious, Serenity had apparently decided she no longer cared for him and left, and the palace was completely empty. This was not right.
He quickly left his room.
"Tell the King I've gone to visit lord Kunzite," he called to one of the guards he passed on his way out.
The lords all lived together in an area of the city that was almost completely gated off. It was meant to keep out the commoners, but most people knew that Lord Byron wanted to make it harder for those looking for revenge to get in. The mansions here were all larger than necessary, and intricately designed to portray wealth and pride.
Kunzite lived in one of the first manors, so it wasn't necessary to ride a horse through the dusty streets.
Endymion knocked and was let into the waiting room within seconds. At least it seemed only the palace was empty. Kunzites manor was still thriving and busy.
"Lord Kunzite will be with you momentarily your majesty," the servant said bowing deeply.
They had already started calling him 'majesty'. He didn't comment.
For a moment, he was alone.
Endymion took a breath, trying to steady himself. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt relaxed and realized that he truly was tired. The war, even though it wasn't really a war, was taking the same toll on him as the last one had.
He walked slowly to look out the window and the gardens behind.
Kunzite's home was beautiful. It was perhaps a little smaller than the other homes in this part of the city, but it was by far the most comfortably decorated. All around things were polished and clean, and yet they looked lived in and loved. The house had seen generations of loving families and happy children, and you could tell by simply standing and observing the room around you. Family emblems were proudly portrayed and shared books and furniture were kept and respected.
Endymion had always envied Kunzite for his family life. His father the King had died when he was nine and Diamond had been deemed old enough at thirteen to rule. They had different mothers. Diamonds mother had died at childbirth, but Endymion had been able to know his mother until he was fifteen. She had been a singularly kind woman, but once Diamond took the throne, she was completely cast aside and thrown from the palace. Endymion had visited her every day. She had taken up residence with Kunzites mother. That was how they had become friends.
Endymion turned when he heard the door open and a woman walked out. At first she didn't notice him, but when she did she looked up at him startled. She nearly tripped backwards with a startled cry.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you," he said bowing.
Endymion couldn't help but think of how much this girl resembled Serenity. She had beautiful blonde hair, perhaps a little darker, and startling blue eyes that were again a little darker than Serenity's.
She collected herself quickly, and curtsied deeply.
"I did not know you were here you majesty."
She was waiting to be dismissed from his presence. She moved and acted almost exactly like Serenity.
Then he realized who she was.
"You're Mina!" He said startled.
She looked at him again. "Yes your majesty."
It took him a moment to get over his initial shock. After asking Kunzite to look into her situation, he hadn't followed up. He honestly just assumed nothing had come of it. First he was relieved to see her, and second he could almost imagine how happy Serenity would be. And then he realized that Mina, of all people, would know the real Serenity.
He quickly went to her and helped her up. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to speak plainly to me. I need you to tell me about Serenity. You of all people would know what she's truly like."
She was obviously confused and a little afraid of him. He tried to seem calm.
"I need to make sure she's really who I think she is."
Mina nodded slowly. "She is truly the kindest person you'll ever meet," she started cautiously. "She would never lie, and she feels more strongly then all the other girls combined. She believes in a good future for all those around her and yet doesn't feel fear for what her own future may be. I believe she would truly be happy if she were miserable and those she loved were happy. And I think she herself would be miserable no matter what her situation if those she loved weren't happy."
He felt relief wash over him. She was exactly who he thought she was.
But then why had she left the palace?
"She saved me, didn't she," Mina said softly.
Endymion looked at her again, but didn't answer.
"I wrote her a letter about my recent purchase to Lord Byron and never heard back from her. I thought she might write one more letter at least, but she never did. Then Lord Kunzite bought me and has not once ever asked anything of me. It only makes sense of she did something and you helped her."
"Her love for you was inspiring," he said honestly. "But she didn't ask me to act."
"You did this yourself?" She asked.
Her eyes were so innocent and wide, as if she could see straight through him. He couldn't answer her. To do so would admit everything that he couldn't afford to admit right now.
"You love her don't you?" She said softly.
He just looked at her.
Mina smiled and all at once her eyes lit up and glittered in complete merriment. He could hardly comprehend how someone could jump emotions so quickly "In all her letters she talked about how kind you were, but to do something like this just to make her happy." She nearly squealed with glee.
Endymion shook his head. "I couldn't bare to see her cry and I just wanted to ease her suffering."
"You wanted to see her smile," Mina corrected. "You wanted to make her happy."
He couldn't help but smile softly at that. "You're so sure of your opinion."
Mina squealed in delight. "I can't believe she got a prince to fall in love with her. You're like a fairy tale come true."
Endymion couldn't help but laugh softly at her childish view of the world. "You seem to have latched onto your ideas and I have little hope of changing them, but I must ask you to keep your discoveries to yourself."
Mina scoffed. "Kunzite already knows how you feel about her, he told me about what he had observed. But if you insist, I'll tell no one. Do you know where Serenity is? I was hoping to see her when she came back. If you're here, does that mean you've brought her with you?"
He looked at her alarmed. "You know she's left?"
"She wrote Kunzite a letter," Mina said confused. "I thought he was going to tell you about it."
Just then Kunzite walked into the room.
"Endymion, what in gods name are you doing here?"
He was momentarily flustered. "I……The King ordered my return, and then decided to make today an outing so that I would have to wait for him."
Kunzite looked perplexed. "Well, from what I hear things are going well."
Endymion nodded, but he couldn't resist changing subjects. "You need to tell me about her letter."
Kunzite looked surprised. "What? Did you not receive my note?"
"No," he said. "If it came after yesterday, then I would already have left."
"It should have reached you days ago."
Endymion felt dread grip him. "What did it say?"
"She's safe. She left the palace because the King was moving in on her. She left with the Queen and should currently be in the country. Are you saying the note never go to you?"
"How did you send it?"
"Your messenger, the young boy that follows Jedeite."
"Why was he here?"
"I saw him in the palace. We've used him so many times before I just assumed it was safe."
Endymion felt the wind leave him suddenly and he had to sit down. He stumbled to the closest chair and nearly collapsed in it.
"The King knows everything," he said breathlessly.
He could see that Kunzite's eyes had frozen in fear. "Everything?"
"We've used that boy to deliver almost every important document since this whole thing began. Jedeite was confident of his loyalty."
"You think he's gone to the King?"
Endymion felt panic rise within him but he tried desperately to push it down. He couldn't lose it now. More then ever, he needed to fix things.
"Kunzite, get your family out of here."
Kunzite walked quickly towards him. "Endymion, I can't……"
"Get them out of here," Endymion said firmly. "That is an order. You will follow them until you are all safe and not look back."
"This is mad, we can't just give up."
"Your part in this is finished," he said standing up quickly. "I will not endanger you anymore."
His tone was commanding and he could see that Kunzite was both surprised and hurt that he was giving him so blatant an order. But Endymion couldn't risk his life. He would rather offend him then to find him one day dead.
"Leave under cover of darkness," he said as he left the room.
Endymion nearly ran all the way back to the palace. The sun was hot in the sky and seemed to linger more and more until he was nearly covered with sweat. He had already taken off his armor, but now he regretted it. If the King was planning something, he had no way to defend himself.
He made it to the palace easily and went directly to the palace guard.
"Nephrite," he said as he walked into the office.
Nephrite looked at him in surprise and stood up. "Your Majesty, why are you no at the front?"
"I need you most loyal guards to deliver messages," he said quickly. "Once you've given the order, you will get your family out of the city and go with them to safety."
"What? But if I…."
"Just do it!" He yelled. "Your cover is blown. If you stay you will die."
Nephrite straightened his back. "I will not leave you your majesty. If this is to end in a battle, then I will stand beside you until I am dead and I will die a proud and noble death."
"Nephrite, this isn't a debate."
"Yes it is," Nephrite yelled back. "I do not wish to offend you your majesty, but no matter what you say to me in this moment, I will not abandon my post. I believe in what we're fighting for and I will believe in even if we are to lose."
The two men stared at one another for a long moment.
"The King has had a spy this entire time sitting right at our feet and we didn't see him. He knows everything. I need to send word to Jedeite to stop this war and come directly back to the palace. We will have to take over by force. We also need to contact the civilian knights that are scheduled to help us and inform them of the change in plans. If they still wish to help, we'll need them."
Nephrite nodded.
"The Queen is also in danger. Do you have her location?"
"No, but Zoicite will. He is in charge of all the secret locations the King has ever used to hide."
"We also need to warn him. If he's with the King, he's in great danger."
There was a long hesitation.
Nephrites eyes narrowed in thought.
"Endymion, why are you back?"
"The King summoned me," he answered in frustration.
"Why?"
Endymion looked at him confused, and then realization dawned on him and his eyes widened in disbelief. "He wanted me away from the army."
Panic surged through him in that moment.
"I know that they are loyal to you, but will they be loyal enough to disobey the King?"
"Send the messages," Endymion said quickly as he ran from the room.
The army couldn't disobey the King. They simply couldn't. Jedeite may stand up to him, and he may even be able to take a few men with him. But the army had been trained for follow orders from the highest in command, no matter what those orders were. They were good and loyal men, but they all had families to support and they wouldn't tempt the fate of death by standing in front of him.
He ran through the halls of the palace back to the front. It was practically deserted. Only one stable boy was left.
"Where is my horse?" He demanded.
The stable boy looked at him in fear. "The King has sold all the horses of the stable back into the city, and your horse never arrived."
He swore under his breath. "There's none at all?"
"No your highness, not one."
He went back into the palace, trying to settle his swirling thoughts so that he could find out some sort of solution. But there was nothing. There was nothing left.
"Your highness?"
Endymion swirled around to look at the small red haired girl behind him. It was one of the ladies that lived within the courtyard. She had told him what had happened to Serenity the day she had not come to him.
"I'm sorry your highness, but there is a horse kept in the stable in the ladies courtyard. He is old, but he is strong. I do not believe that the King remembers he is there."
Endymion felt hope rise within him. "Show me," he ordered.
He followed her quickly through the palace and they quickly got to their destination. The ladies all stood and looked at him in surprise when he walked in, but he did not have the time right now to be civil to them. Instead, he ordered the guards to evacuate them into the city and find a suitable location for them stay until this was all over. He gave them enough money to do so, and ordered them to stay with them at all costs.
There was a horse in the small dirty stable and he was old. Endymion guessed that if he rode him as hard as he needed to, he would not survive the journey.
"He has had a long and good life," the girl said. "I believe he wants a final day of glory."
He nodded, but he still felt bad. A horse was a noble creature. He didn't want to harm one, but he had not choice. He quickly saddled it and it seemed to spring to life with renewed youth when he mounted it.
"Go with the other to safety," he said to the red haired girl. "I will repay you for you kindness if this all turns out well."
He didn't believe it would, but the delight on her face was enough.
He sent the horse running through the city as quickly as possible. For all its years, it was a fast horse, and it didn't fight against his lead. In fact, it pushed itself even harder, running as if it had not been allowed to run for years even though it delighted in it so much.
End of Chapter Nine!!!
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