Amare Dividere

Title: Frail Leisure [Part Six]
Series: Vision of Escaflowne
Rating: PG-13 for some violence.
A/N: I just have to say that I really love the flashback sequence in this one.


***

Angrily, Allen throws the Knights Caeli through another round of practice drills in their swordsmanship. He cannot fathom why Eries would be so elusive and cold to him. Just when she was beginning to warm up to him after so much time.

In the balconies above the practice courtyard, the young women of the castle watch in fascination as the younger of the knights and their commander practice. Celena among them. Though her brother cannot quite fathom what would upset the princess so, she had listened in on the conversation, and could recall, once or twice, seeing the older princess brought out to the manor where the Schezar family resided before Leon disappeared.

The veiled princess had always appeared, even as a child, to be very withdrawn, but whenever she had come to visit, or rather the two occasions that Celena could remember her, she had been kind, and brought a present for her. The princess had never been less than kind to Celena, even since she had come to return to the palace, if anything, she had been more wary than mean.

And Celena can understand that, given the things she is beginning to remember. As her blue eyes follow the movements of the young knights below, she finds that she can pick out when they are attacking improperly, or when they are going to be knocked over by her brother's skill.

It unsettles her that such knowledge can somehow be hiding in the back of her mind without her being aware of it. Almost as upsetting as knowing what her brother cannot, for all his intelligence and skill with a sword, seem to come up with.

That he and Princess Eries were betrothed at birth.

Turning, she leaves the balcony area and heads towards the Princess's chambers, having been instructed to help her prepare herself for her next meeting. News of some sort had come to Palas, and the pale haired princess had some inkling as to what it was that made her want to be formally attired to meet with them.

It would take nearly two hours for that, and so she has no more time to contemplate her returning memories.

***

"Something's wrong," Jasper says, pacing in the den.

"What do you mean?" Kira replies, pulling her embroidery needle through the rich fabric that will soon be a christening gown for their child.

"Nileyah's never gone this long. It's been two months…"

"Are you so sure it's not because of me?" Kira asks quietly, violet eyes turned down to her work, but she risks a quick glance up at her husband. "If she found out I'd gotten pregnant…"

"It's only a logical conclusion," Jasper replies, kneeling next to her chair and kissing her cheek tenderly. "Married women get pregnant all the time." With a grin he adds, "I'm actually rather proud."

Swatting half-heartedly at him, she rolls her eyes. "You would be."

"Well it's good to know," he replies, kissing her cheek again. "Especially after what news just came in from outside."

"News? Why didn't you tell me?" she sets down her embroidery.

"Because I don't want to upset you worrying about things you have no control over. It's not good for the baby." He gets to his feet and turns towards the hearth, staring into the fire with troubled green eyes.

"Jasper, if you start basing what you tell me on 'what's good for the baby' you're going to find yourself in a very cold bed with a very vapid wife." She stands and follows him over to the hearth, putting her arms around him. "We're in this together, and if I don't know, it's easier to surprise us here, isn't it?"

"I suppose you're right," he grudgingly admits, sighing into the embrace. "Norte took Egzardia. The royal family has fled."

"Egzardia is to our southern border," Kira says, voice trembling slightly.

"Yes," Jasper replies, turning slightly to embrace his wife. "It is, but there is a mountain range between our two countries that makes it nearly impossible to directly invade us from the other side. It is the same mountain range that moves northward to protect Fanelia similarly. Called the Dragon's Back because of it. We sit at the dragon's tail." He strokes her back comfortingly. "Come, it's time for dinner… and mother will want to discuss our next actions. In the morning, we will ride out to visit the city, as planned. There is no sense in hiding in our castle when the danger is not yet near our doorstep."

***

The horses were tethered, and Arik was tending to replacing the saddles and their belongings on them. Tristan stood nervously watching for the approach of the men of the tribe, but none of them seemed intent on disturbing the two travelers from their departure.

And then Haruth glided down to land nearby. "Whare are yees goin'?" he asked in his scratchy voice. It only seemed to take on the age that the old warrior appeared to wear when he was using the pidgin language that Tristan could understand.

In his own language, his voice was fluid and almost musical. And during the nightly singing, it rang the loudest in the group.

"There is a traveler that has entered my homeland," Tristan says, by way of explanation. "And he does not deserve the fate that he will come to if he's caught stranded there."

"Wat cancern of eit is yers wat haapens to thae traveleir?"

"He saved our lives. He is a king of his people."

"And he is one of us," Arik adds without looking up from her preparations. "King Van is the son of Varie, father."

Tristan blinks, having only made out two of the words from the phrases Arik said. 'Van' and 'Varie'. Haruth's reaction is obvious almost instantly. "Then you will take with you one of the warriors. If this king is in danger, it concerns all of us, and should not be ignored."

"I could not guarantee that the warrior would return, father. We left Ispano because it was attacked and overrun by invaders. The people are slaves, the workers forced to do an evil tyrant's bidding. We go because we know the way."

"Do not argue!" Haruth snaps.

Bowing her head over the saddle before strapping it, she says to Tristan, "We will have one more with us."

"But I can't speak the language of your father's people," he protests, watching Haruth as he strides across the small expanse towards the tent village. "I won't know how to-"

"I do speak the language," Arik says. "And it's useless to argue with my father when he gets in one of these moods. Besides, we will likely need the assistance."

"I do not agree. You've always been enough to protect me before… and you and I know the temple better than whoever will be sent with us. I don't agree…"

"I have failed you once," Arik says softly, handing him the reigns to his horse. "I do not intend to fail you again. And two swords are better than one."

Haruth returns with one of the warriors, Skan. The tall warrior, who is half a head taller than Tristan, with silver-white hair and deep reddish brown eyes. Tristan looks at him closely for the first time, comparing him with Haruth, who also has red tinted eyes. The warrior bows deeply to the two of them, and offers Arik up a bracelet with an energist.

Confused, and feeling possessive of his Kathis, Tristan starts to object, but Arik takes the bracelet in one hand and reaches for Tristan's wrist, slipping it on easily. "What's this about?" he asks, puzzled.

"The energist in the bracelet will tell Skan where you are, and so he will easier keep track of you. It is one use that Draconians make of their energists."

"Their energists?"

"It is a complicated thing," Arik says, leaping onto her horse. "Let's get going now before we waste any more time."

With a slight frown, Tristan climbs into his own saddle, eyeing Haruth and Skan warily. Haruth laughs, and extends a hand up to his daughter in the saddle. "Your man acts as though he is being replaced by the guardian I am sending with the two of you," he says merrily. "You should reassure him, Skan is only going to offer what you allow him to. Take this," he adds, opening his large hand, "in case you get stranded without your priest. It will bring you safely home."

***

Seated regally in her throne, Eries listens to the hustle and bustle of the advisors, and casts a sidelong glance at Dryden, who is sitting only half attentive in his own throne. Just past him, she sees Allen, standing at strict attention, and turns her full attention back to the squabbling advisors.

"Egzardia has fallen to Norte. There were guymelefs-"

"-Ispano guymelefs… Ispano is siding with Norte-"

"-after taking over Egzardia, they will be well supplied to feed their army."

"Silence," Eries says, sitting taller in her throne. "The invasion and capture of Norte notwithstanding, what other news has arrived?"

"The monarchs have gone to Fanelia seeking refuge. The Queen has not yet turned them away," one of the foreign ministers says.

"Word has come from Cesario and Daedelus, supporting us in case of an attack."

"What of Fanelia?" Eries asks delicately, blue eyes reserved as she glances around the darkened room at the faces at the table. "Has the Queen agreed to support us?"

"The reply from Fanelia is not an answer, your highness, but a question."

"What question might that be?"

"The Fanelian Queen asks, instead, what our answer would be if they were attacked. Or if they were to go to war with Norte."

Eries sits back slightly, pondering that. She is well aware that the wedding ceremony had been attacked, and that on the day of the wedding, Van had disappeared. The culprit was, of course, Norte. However the invading troops had been overcome by the defending troops shortly after the disappearance of the king, and the queen had escaped unharmed.

But to go on the offensive without Van? Would Hitomi be so bold… putting her fingers into a steeple before her, Eries thinks seriously. 'However that is a response in itself, a carefully disguised one, I must admit. Hitomi is clever. She always seemed to loathe war, though…'

Standing, finally, Eries disregards her advisors for a moment and says, "We will adjourn until this afternoon. I must confer with the king before making any further decisions."

Unhappily, the advisors file out of the darkened council room, and the doors are shut behind them. The other guards in the room file out, but Allen lingers for a moment. When he isn't sent away by either the king or the princess, he figures that whatever must be said is fine for his ears, at least.

"What Hitomi is really asking is if Fanelia supports Asturia, if Asturia will do the same for Fanelia… but her answer is plain in the letter," Eries says, eyes boring into Dryden as she retakes the seat on her throne. "If we are attacked, Fanelia will support us."

"It doesn't say that," Allen says when Dryden remains silent. "She's countering your question with another question. Fanelia is prepared to go to war, to protect itself… there's never been a formal alliance between the two countries. I think-"

"Perhaps its time we made one, then," Eries says, interrupting.

"On what basis?" Allen asks.

"I think it could start with mutual protection. Like it or not Gaea is at war again… and once it's blown over Millerna and Dryden may do with the treaty whatever they wish."

Dryden remains seated uncaringly on his throne. The mention of Millerna had caused a stab of chain in his chest, and an echoing wonder in his mind as to when he will next see his beautiful wife.

"Tell the advisors we will meet with them later," Eries announces, rising from her seat once more and crossing to Dryden, whom she helps to his feet and guides out of the throne room.

Allen rolls his eyes as he watches them walk away, but as they turn the corner, he sees Celena staring at him with dark eyes and a serious expression. He starts to speak to her, but she turns and heads off.

With a sigh, rather tired of complicated women at the moment, Allen heads off after the advisors. Whatever is bothering his sister will simply have to wait.

***

"You were early," Ouran says softly to Aden as he checks in on his servant. The blow he had taken down in the secret dungeon had left him weaker than it might have, if he were not bound in the manner that he was.

But Daeluzito knows that without the collar, after having had the man locked into it for so long, he would likely be fighting a very powerful adversary. One that he would not be able to beat for a second time.

His allegiances are not of the sort that he can request help from them in subduing his 'servant' in such an eventuality, and the people of Norte only follow him half-heartedly at best. The soldiers are the only people in the country truly loyal to him, and they are not kept in abundance in the castle.

The usurping king wishes, again, that he could be riding into battle with them rather than staying in the castle and waiting to hear news of their success. But with a kidnapped Queen in the basement and a people not completely supporting him, there is little he can do to go and join them.

Until the time is right.

"I have never before been chastised for doing my job more efficiently than normal."

"You've never been injured in performing such a simple duty before." Daeluzito narrows his eyes at Aden, "It's suspicious."

"I have already apologized for what happened, sire, there is nothing more for me to do." His brown eyes are lowered to the floor and shielded from the king's view by his dark, unkept hair. "I would like to be allowed to go back to my duties, if that is acceptable to you."

Narrowing his brown eyes at the reclining man, Daeluzito considers the request. "See to it that it doesn't happen again, Aden, or I might have run out of use for you."