The Masked Knight
Disclaimer: Mostly the main characters all belong to Clamp, and the detailed ideas too.
(A/N: Finally another chapter! It definitely took a while for me to write.)
Chapter Seven: The Poisonous Arrow
"Madison, you've got to stop them. They are going to burn him alive!" Sakura paced in the tent.
"He is the King of Moon Gates, our greatest enemy," Madison crossed her arms deep in her thoughts, "Syaoran has the authority to make all decisions. There is nothing that I can do."
"There has to be something…" Sakura took out her key.
"Sakura, don't even think about it," Madison warned her when she saw Sakura's key, "This is not the time to reveal your true identity to the world. Save it until when it is necessary."
"You are right," Sakura sighed and put her key back.
Then they heard noises coming from outside where Eriol was in chains walking towards the pillar where he will be burned to death. There were four soldiers that escorted Eriol to the pillar. The soldiers worked together to tie Eriol's hands and feet to the 'T' shaped wooden pillar.
The soldiers then prepared the wood for the bonfire, but Eriol did not show any fear. Eriol was rather relaxed. Syaoran noticed Eriol's odd behaviour and informed his men to keep their eyes open for potential threat.
Sakura and Madison walked outside to see what was going on. Syaoran followed by Jake and Kero walked towards the site of the execution. Two more soldiers followed behind each with a torch in their hand.
"Any last words?" Syaoran asked.
"You think I will go down this easily?" Eriol returned with a question.
Suddenly arrows were fired at the Mikaysium army, each shot was powerful and accurate. Within a few minutes a group of Valkyrie army rushed to the scene on their horses while shooting more arrows. The whole campsite turned into chaos where everyone tried to dodge the arrows or block the arrows with their swords.
"Sorry my lord, we arrived late," Nakuru apologized and broke the chains that tied Eriol to the pillar with his sword.
"Better be late than never," Eriol then rushed to Madison.
Nakuru had to protect Eriol; thus, his main target was to aim his arrow at Syaoran. Sakura quickly rushed to Syaoran to block the arrow that was coming his way. Syaoran saw Sakura running towards him as he quickly dodged the arrow.
Syaoran did not see the second arrow as it went straight into his right shoulder.
"Syaoran!" Sakura caught him as he fell to the ground.
Eriol hurried to Madison and grabbed her arm, "Come to Valkyrie with me."
"How can you hurt Syaoran? He is my best friend!" Madison took back her arm.
"Take this," Eriol put an object in Madison's hand and quickly left with Nakuru.
Madison quickly ran to Syaoran and Sakura along with Jake and Kero.
"The arrow is laced with poison," Madison concluded through her observation.
"I'll take him inside," Kero grabbed one of Syaoran's arms and helped carried him.
"Syaoran, are you going to be okay?" Sakura walked beside him, but was stopped by Jake. "You need to stay away from him. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be in this situation," Jake ordered and followed behind Kero and Syaoran.
Sakura didn't want to argue with Jake when he was right. It was her fault. If she didn't try to save him, he would be able to dodge that arrow. She thought 'what on earth was I thinking? Syaoran is a trained knight.'
"Let's wait until the medical examiner take a look at Syaoran's wound," Madison patted on Sakura's shoulder. Sakura's gaze was still focused on the tent.
Madison held the royal seal Eriol gave her in her hand. Eriol had information about the invasion on Tyson, and she had to know. She lost her entire family, not to mention the entire kingdom because of Valkyrie. She had to take down the monster behind this vicious plan.
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Sakura waited patiently outside with Madison until the medicine examiner completed Syaoran's full body examination. The medical examiner informed everyone that Syaoran would heal back to health in no time.
Sakura was very thankful to hear this great news. Then Kero exit the tent and invited Sakura to see Syaoran.
Sakura happily followed Kero into the tent and greeted Syaoran.
"Come beside me," Syaoran said weakly facing away from Sakura.
"Be…beside you?" Sakura walked towards the bed. To her surprised Syaoran grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him. Syaoran rested his head on her shoulder.
"Syaoran, what are you –" Sakura pushed his right shoulder and saw that he was weaker than before. Sakura quickly grabbed Syaoran's wrist and felt his pulse weak and thready, "You are getting weaker. I thought the medical examiner said you are fine."
"If I let everyone know that I'm dying it will create chaos. I can't let that happen. Sakura, do you think you can help me?" Syaoran coughed. Sakura could hear the desperation in his voice, this is a lot more serious than she expected.
Madison walked into the tent towards them, "The poison requires a special type of antidote, and only Eriol has the cure."
"We have to go to Valkyrie, don't we?" Sakura turned to Madison. "We don't really have much of a choice," Madison answered. "Don't be stupid, you too. That's equivalent to a death sentence," Syaoran raised his voice felling a sharp pain surging around his left shoulder.
"Syaoran, I'm sorry. If I hadn't try to save you, you could've dodged that arrow," Sakura apologized. "Don't apologize, what is done is done. You didn't know, and I can understand that," Syaoran forced a smile from his gut wrenching pain.
"Sakura let Syaoran rest. The best we can do now is pain management, and perhaps finding some remedy to prolong his life as long as possible," Madison had a plan in mind, "Let's head back to our tent." Sakura nodded and helped Syaoran back to bed.
Sakura and Madison went back to their tent. Sakura restlessly sat on her bed. "We are going to Valkyrie," Madison said quietly. Sakura was going to say something as Madison covered her mouth using her hands to inform Sakura to keep quiet.
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Next morning as soon as Syaoran was dressed Kero entered with news from the King of Mikaysium. Syaoran opened up the envelope and inside stating that Valkyrie's army is heading their way.
"Spinel is leading an army of five hundred thousand soldiers who are heading towards Mikaysium," Kero stated.
"King of Moon Gates knew Syaoran is poisoned with a combination of curare and arum maculatum, and he is taking this opportunity to invade our kingdom," Jake added, "Spinel is planning to invade the 2 outer most cities on the borders of Mikaysium. Once they occupy those cities, Valkyrie will be at an easier advantage to expand throughout the rest of our kingdom."
"The task is difficult, but there is still a possibility for us to win. On my order, ready the Mikaysium army, and bring me my armour," Syaoran stood up ignoring the pain. Syaoran thought, 'As a knight, soon or later it's time to wake up.'
A soldier walked into the tent with a message, "General Li, the crowned prince will arrive soon."
With some help, Syaoran was able to get into his armour and wait for the crowned prince's arrival outside of the tent.
"Who is the crowned prince?" Sakura asked.
"His name is Kausil Li, crowned prince of Mikaysium," Syaoran answered.
Kausil and his army entered the gate of the camp with the retired General Alexander Taylor, Madison Taylor's father and Captain Fujitaka.
"General Taylor and Captain Fujitaka are here. Something is definitely not right," Kero said quietly. "I guess, we'll find out. Sakura you wait here," Syaoran instructed as he, Kero and Jake went to greet Kausil.
"Greetings Prince Kausil," everyone kneeled down. Kausil jumped down from his horse and went to greet Syaoran.
"Why the formality Syaoran?" Kausil smiled asking everyone else to resume at ease, "Everyone must be exhausted from a year of ongoing battle. I haven't see you in a while Syaoran. I hope everything goes well with you."
Kausil purposely hit Syaoran on the left shoulder. Syaoran winced slightly.
"Syaoran, are you injured?" Kausil commanded, "Quick, bring me the best medicine we have for Syaoran."
"Who would've thought the famous Masked Knight, Mikaysium's best warrior would be the one who gets injured in battle. Looks like the grand title clearly was coated with a plaque and yet without any substance," Kausil's advisor laughed at his own statement.
"Nonsense. Syaoran was deemed the Prince of Northern Star for a good reason. I've brought backup along with food storage complimentary of our beloved King," Kausil said sternly and yet with a certain aptitude of hiding the deeper meaning to his words.
"I deeply thank our King for his generous donation. However, we have enough food for the time being. I would kindly ask Prince Kausil to donate the food supply to near by villages," Syaoran stated.
"Even in dire situations, Syaoran couldn't help but to think of others side from himself. That is truly admirable. You never failed to impress me Syaoran," Kausil graciously said hitting Syaoran harder this time, "Forgive me, Syaoran. I've forgotten that you were injured with all the excitement. I apologize for my behaviour."
Sakura watched from a distant remember that her granny told her about Syaoran's life would end by the hands of his younger brother. Sakura observed Kausil's behaviour; she could tell he purposely wanted to hurt Syaoran.
"From the news that I've received, you have a newly wed concubine. I heard she is a remarkable woman with extraordinary and uncanny talents. Your future is very bright from where I stand. Congratulations," Kausil smiled, " I would like to meet with my sister-in-law."
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"Your highness, my name is Sakura Avalon. It is a pleasure meeting you," Sakura bowed. "Pleasure is all mine," Kausil continued, "This whole time I thought the Prince of Northern Star would pick a stunning beauty with all his admirers. Who knew Syaoran end up choosing to marry a village girl."
Sakura was ready to give the crowned prince a piece of her mind. She could tell Kausil had indirectly insulted both her and Syaoran.
"From what we gathered from the reports. That Syaoran had been taking the nights off enjoying mood music with his new bride," Kausil's advisor added. "That was a front we put up so that no one finds out about Syaoran's injury," Kero defended Syaoran and Sakura.
"Enjoying the honeymoon with a new bride is not against the law. However, failure to fulfill a general's duty and letting the King of Moon Gates escape is a severe consequences punishable by death," Kausil's advisor argued.
"The Valkyrie army is on their way to Mikaysium. I shall fulfill my duty to defend our kingdom. I will then turn myself in once we win this battle," Syaoran wanted to deescalate the situation. He knew where the conversation is headed. It's only a matter of time.
"I understand letting the King of Moon Gates escape was inevitable. I can see that Syaoran's injury is worse than he leads on. How about this? I will lead our army to victory," Kausil stood up.
"Prince of Northern Star please presents your rank seal. Prince Kausil shall lead your army to win this battle. You can finish your honeymoon with your new bride and slowly recover from your injury," Kausil's advisor suggested.
"Well Syaoran? I'm waiting," Kausil walked up to Syaoran waiting for him to handover the seal.
Captain Fujitaka was about to speak up, but Kero stopped him. Syaoran grabbed his seal from his drawer and presented to Kausil.
"Prince Kausil, I hereby passing you the Mikaysium Army Seal. Our three hundred thousand soldiers is now under your command," Syaoran held the seal in his hands.
"Very well. We are done here," Prince Kausil took the seal from Syaoran's hands and passed it to his royal advisor. Kausil was satisfied with the outcome of this negotiation upon leaving the tent with his men followed behind.
"We are not going to win this battle with Kausil in command," Captain Fujitaka said. Syaoran couldn't say a word throughout the negotiation. Even though he was a prince with a title, he had no power. Prince Kausil and his advisor made it clear from the minute they set foot in the camp.
The stress and the pain were too overwhelming for Syaoran to bear. He held on for as long as he could before he collapsed into unconsciousness.
Sakura clenched onto her key and watched as Kero and Jake helped carry Syaoran back to his private tent. Finding that cure was the only way to save Syaoran and Mikaysium. She had a bad feeling, a feeling that the worst has yet to come. It's hardly a feeling truth to be told, the worst will come and Sakura already made her mind to protect Syaoran from Kausil.
Next time on The Masked Knight:
Madison and Sakura made their way to Valkyrie to see King of Moon Gates, Eriol. In search for the cure Sakura found herself in deep trouble. One strong struck on the head, she began having on and off visions that she felt like she experienced before.