For those who agree with me that a little more than tongue fencing took place in the Pieria Marshlands. *Wink-wink, nudge-nudge.* Thanks for coming back for more! Hope this goes well! LOL!
Chapter 2. The Problem With A Secret Is…
She awoke in a mess of tangled sheets and tousled hair. Her nightclothes were lost somewhere on the floor. The pillow beside hers was empty once more, but it did not frighten her as it had the first morning after his return. He was an early riser – a trait he had picked up after the first few weeks in Sigmund's armor. She remembered the days of having to physically drag him from his bed; back when he was constantly seeking any excuse to leave the group. It seemed like another lifetime.
How different he was now – and yet he really hadn't changed at all, she thought. Maybe all that had really changed in the end was the group's opinion of him – and his opinion of himself.
Aya stretched languidly atop the soft mattress and sighed, noticing the shadow against the window at last. Capell leaned casually against the large window's frame, staring out to the desert beyond. At her sigh his head turned to her and she was captivated by him once more.
She had always thought him handsome in the armor – though she had never possessed those thoughts about Sigmund, and the two were identical in appearance. Perhaps it was the way Capell wore the armor, with a smile and a bounce to his step that made him less fearsome and more approachable than his father. But now, seeing him stand in the early morning sunlight wearing nothing but a pair of thin sleeping trousers and a smile, she decided he was more than handsome. He was glorious.
"I gave it a name." He revealed and she quirked a smile at him, a laugh rumbling low and quiet in her chest. She didn't know how, but she knew exactly what he was talking about. She flipped over on her stomach, facing him.
"I don't want to know."
"Are you sure? I'm actually proud of this one." That piqued her interest – had he named the other songs out of pure mischief? She wouldn't have put it passed him. "You want to take a guess first?"
"Not really."
"Try."
She sighed and arched an eyebrow at him. When he reflected her expression back at her she smiled in amusement.
"The cowardly bear?"
"Is that a crack at Gustav?" Capell dodged her pillow as it sailed past his head and wondered aloud how her marksman skills had gotten so bad. She tried again.
"Fish's Forte?"
"Hey – you're using musical terms. Very good! But still wrong."
"Forget it." And Capell shook his head.
"Quitter. Should I tell you then?"
Aya moaned and almost buried her face in the sheets. "I shouldn't be asking…"
Capell leaned his head back against the frame and peered beyond the glass once more. He was quiet for a moment and Aya wondered if maybe she should have kept playing. "I named it the moment I knew it would work," he announced at last and pulled the intricate flute from the sill behind him, fingering the instrument reverently; "the moment I knew what it would do for me."
"Capell?" His eyes rose to her and he smiled softly, calming her nerves again.
"I call it 'Aya's Smile'."
It wasn't exactly a name given to a masterpiece, but it touched her in a way she didn't think possible. He had named the song that had brought him home after her. He had thought of her while up there – thought of her enough to name the most important composition of his life after her. She had never even heard its notes and yet already she knew it was her favorite song of all time – even more than 'The Slovenly Serenade'.
"May I hear it?"
A knock at the door was immediately followed by Gina entering the room uninvited.
"Good morning Majesty! I'm afraid I must tell you that Lord Cap – Oh My Word! Put some clothes on, would you? I swear-"
"Gina," Aya growled – the pretty maid had absolutely no restraint with her tongue. "Maybe you should wait to be invited from now on."
"Yes of course," Gina bowed so low her face was no longer visible, and only stood when she had turned completely around. "I'm sorry – I had no idea you two were-"
"Careful now," Capell cut her off before she could get herself into more trouble, yet the warning was friendlier than Aya's.
"That you were so close." Gina finished in her nervous twitter after a brief pause. "I'm sorry, Majesty, it appears Lord Capell is not missing from his rooms after all. I'll go inform Dominica that he's… been found. Yes. Dominica wanted to let you both know that the caravan is ready. She suggests you leave soon. I suggest-"
"Thank you Gina," Aya said by way of a dismissal and the maid attempted an awkward bow without turning to face the pair before leaving. Capell smiled playfully at the woman on the bed.
"We should go, the Dominica I knew would have had no problems coming in here to drag us out as-is." Aya smiled.
"And she still won't." She confirmed and rose quickly, slipping into her laundered travel clothes and picking up her bow and quiver. Capell donned his old clothes once more, though in truth he was beginning to miss the armor. It was like cladding himself in a gift from Sigmund; like physically wearing his father's protection. Soon enough he promised himself and slid the oversized bundle onto his shoulders once more.
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"How long do you think it will take for the things within to break out in force?" Kiriya's question was in no way passionate, though the ire in his voice was clear. "It won't be long – the attacks are becoming more frequent. And what about –"
"Silence!" Edward's booming voice was magnified by the thunder of his fist on hardwood – Rucha and Vic jumped in their seats. The party from Cassandra had arrived only a few hours earlier – just in time for Capell's return which was going to be later that afternoon. Yet Kiriya was not one for sentiment or subtlety and had been pressing his argument upon the crowd without mercy since morning. "How often do you have to be warned to watch your tongue on this subject? Do you have any idea what would happen if this information got out? We can't risk that Kiriya – you know this!"
"Exactly my point." The pale man turned his nose up in haughty disdain. "Which is why you need to put off plans for this party and tell him the situation the moment he arrives. A stop has to be put to this immediately. None but Capell will be able to handle him – you know this." The mockery of Edward's argument was not lost on the king, but he ground his teeth together in an extreme effort of self restraint.
"We've all known this," Eugene's diplomacy was a welcomed interruption, "we knew it even before Capell returned – and now that he is back I admit I have hope again. But his homecoming should not be only for this. He should be allowed some joy in his return before we ask him to pick up the sword once more – especially for this."
"Who will do it, then?" Michelle's velvet voice was timid and sad. "Which one of us will tell him?"
The silence was thick in the air, but only for a moment.
"I will," Edward volunteered. "I think… he'll take it best from me."
No one tried to argue. It was not a task that anyone wanted.
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It was perhaps the tightest she had ever held him – even more than their first meeting in this exact spot years back. Only this time the feeling of her body against his did nothing to excite him. Man, Aya sure had her grip on his heart, he thought with some amusement.
"I've missed you, too, Michelle." He chuckled and returned the embrace freely. When she started bouncing on the balls of her feet while hugging him, however, he thought it best to end the contact. He was still a man, after all.
"Hey guys!" Capell turned and smiled down at the summoner and beastmaster happily. "Look at how huge you are!"
"Capell!" Rucha's girly squeal was followed by the little girl leaping up into his arms. Rico hung back for a second shuffling his feet uncertainly. Capell understood – so the boy was still in that phase, huh? "Men can hug too, if they're really good friends, Rico." The boy's face split into a wide grin and he followed his sister's example forcing Capell to take a twin under each arm.
Eugene had explained Kristopher's absence, and Capell confirmed that Aya had already told him of the Aristos. Her own mother still slept in Fayel and Aya had explained what was happening – that they were still alive and well, only sleeping. How long that sleep would last was a mystery, but their health was good and after only two years a small handful of the youngest Aristos were already beginning to wake up. It seemed the length of their sleep depended on their power and true age.
Eugene speculated that out of their friends Touma would be the first to wake. Empress Svala would probably be the last. With the knowledge that some of the lower ranked Aristos were waking, and Aya and Komachi's confidence that their loved ones would soon awaken as well, Capell was able to relax and enjoy himself once more.
Dinner had been served in the great dining hall, Capell embarrassing his more composed friends when he had joined Rico and Rucha in their short-lived food fight. But the light in his eyes and the laughter in the room had kept the scolding to a few shaking heads and firm words delivered through amused smiles. Capell had relayed to everyone through the meal the events of his time on the moon. Of living off of the squirrel-mice and finding the teleporter. And then of the task of writing 'Aya's Smile'. And once the story had been told he realized just how stagnant his life had been up there – and how long two years could feel when it was spent alone.
When the last of the food was cleared from the table the party moved to the drawing room for refreshments and a little relaxed conversation. Capell was glad that they had not thrown a large gala in his honor – he much preferred just being able to sit with his friends and catch up. They spoke of their past adventure, of their current lives and plans for the future. It was briefly asked if Capell would like to take up the throne of Cassandra and he promised that he would give it serious thought after tonight. With that the subject was quickly dropped – this was a time for friends, not politics after all.
Towards the end of the night the twins were beginning to nod off beside Michelle. A few stifled yawns and some began to talk about retiring for the evening.
Kiriya looked pointedly at the king of Burguss. Edward's mouth tightened in a thin line and the look he shot back to the pale man was clear.
No.
Capell's next words dropped Edward's stomach into his boots.
"What's going on, you two?"
The last of the conversation went silent, Capell and Aya peering at Edward and Kiriya quizzically, the others averting their eyes, trying to avoid being called into the situation.
"Nothing. Just a little tension left over from an argument earlier today." Edward replied a bit too curtly. He reached for his wine as if hoping the subject would drop without another word.
"But a very important argument, wouldn't you agree? Something that should not be put off any longer?" Kiriya was baiting him and Capell. "Especially when lives are at stake?"
"Lives?" Capell startled a bit and cast an anxious glance at his friends. Beside him Aya went rigid.
"Don't do this, Kiriya," she said sharply, "not now."
"When would be better, Emir? When more have died while we were celebrating?"
"Not now!" Aya was on her feet, fists balled and nearly shaking with rage.
"Guys!" Capell was standing as well, his hands on Aya's shoulders. "Would someone please tell me what is going on here?" Edward slumped in his seat, wiping a hand over his face.
"It's too late, Aya," he muttered, "we have to."
"No," she whispered, "not yet. I – we – just got him back. Not yet, please."
"Have to what?" Capell's eyes were widening in worry. "I know I'm not the leader anymore and you don't have to tell-"
"You are our leader, Capell." Eugene interrupted. "We may lead nations now, but you will always lead us. You've already proven you're the one best suited for the task."
"Please Capell," Aya clutched his hands in hers and peered up into his eyes. "One more night. Please give me one more night before we have to tell you."
"Do you think he'll have a moment's peace waiting to hear what we have to say?" Aya whirled.
"Shut up Kiriya! This is your fault! Why did you have to start this? Why couldn't you give us one more happy night together?"
"Because the world may not have one more night!" Kiriya bit back and Capell was so jarred by the statement that he landed roughly back onto the long couch.
"Tell me," he was able to say at last. "What's happened?" Aya sank down beside him once more, clutching his hand in hers. Edward sighed. He had volunteered to be the one to tell Capell. It seemed he did not get to choose when.
"A few months after we left the moon," Edward began, his words seeming to drain the vitality from everyone who knew his story, "a dormant teleporter in Kolton reactivated. No one knew it at first. It's located in the castle, and Kolton law allows only those with official business to enter the castle. It is because of this and very rigid precautions that the teleporter is still known only to Kolton officials and us.
"When the teleporter reactivated the new king sent a squad of guards through to see where it led." Edward's jaw flexed spasmodically. "When they didn't come back he sent an entire company of elite soldiers through.
"Only two men came back."
Capell's face melted in shock. Edward did not look at his friend. He kept his eyes down and continued on.
"They came back with a story of a place beyond the gate that was our world and yet not. Graad Prison, the Oradian Dunes, Vesplume Tower, they were beyond the gate but they were not really the places they appeared to be. Their skies were different, the sunlight strange, and the beasts beyond were more powerful than anything in our world. Most of the elites died in the False Oradian Dunes. The survivors happened upon a teleporter between the paths to Fayel and Port Zala…"
"No Ed," Aya whispered miserably, but Capell placed a restraining hand over hers.
"Tell me."
"On the other side of that teleporter they claimed to have found a False Vesplume Tower and… Lord Sigmund." There was no pleasure in his friend's revelation. Capell waited, certain that this was not the joyous news it should have been. Common sense told him not to hope.
"The man they encountered… killed most of the soldiers, Capell." Edward gritted out. "They said he was saying things that made no sense to the soldiers. He said that they would not be enough to stop 'her'. That 'she' was coming and if 'she' found them 'she' would make them worse than monsters. He said he couldn't allow that. So… so he started killing them."
"Sigmund wouldn't…" Capell whispered.
"Do you think we just believed this story when the surviving men came back with it?" Edward demanded hotly and Capell startle at the ferocity of his friend's reaction. "Do you think any of us who knew him would think Lord Sigmund capable of such an act? After he spent his life defending the people of this world?" Edward was shaking now, and Eugene knew it was becoming too much for the loyal man to speak on this topic.
"We went in, Capell," The Prime Minister picked up the story to spare the dark man. "Kolton's king told Aya, Edward and myself the teleporter's secret in the hopes we could unravel the mystery, as Lord Sigmund was involved. We gathered the Force and we went in ourselves.
"We followed the soldiers' directions to the False Vesplume Tower." Eugene shook his head as though trying to deny the truth before he even spoke it. "He was there, Capell. When he saw it was us he became furious. You've never seen Sigmund furious, have you?" They heard Rucha whimpered – it was clear she had seen it. "He demanded to know what we thought we were doing – that we were smarter than this. He said he would not let 'her' have us. He would not let us be used – no matter what – that he would save us from something worse than death. He attacked us Capell. He came at us with everything. It took all of our resources to get out of there alive. Balbagon was almost lost giving us cover to get the kids out. We were no match for him – not that any of us ever were."
"The castle's corridor to the teleporter was made off limits." He went on. "But a few months later a Tiger Rachnuvus appeared in the castle – one stronger than anyone had ever seen. It was slain, but another few weeks passed and a larva of similar strength appeared. After that a Quetzalcoatl. More have come since. The castle has been locked down to any but those who absolutely must enter. The royal family has secretly moved out."
"Both arachnids could be found in the False Graad Prison," Kiriya spoke up, "the first place you come across when entering the forbidden teleporter. The avian in the False Oradian Dunes – the second place you come to. The things are getting out, Capell. If beasts are finding their way out, what is to stop Sigmund? Or this 'she' figure that he was constantly going on about? One spider was enough to take down three well armed soldiers – the flyer took down five. What do you think a half-crazed dead Liberator will do if he gets out?"
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She strode quickly up and down the wide corridors of Castle Burgusstadt, pausing long enough to throw open every door she passed and peer inside. Startled faces peered back at her from the rooms, and a few angry shouts followed her as she moved on.
"Aya. Aya!" Eugene trotted up to her to keep pace, "let him be. He needs time!"
"Do you remember the last time he had 'time' to think on his own?" She demanded angrily, tears still glistening in her eyes. "He nearly turned against us. I can't let that happen again. He needs to know we're here for him."
"He does, Aya," Eugene grabbed up her wrist and dug his heals down to stop her from taking another step. Aya's fists clenched and she turned on him, but did not strike out. "He knows we're here. And in a few hours if he does not come to us yes, I think we should go find him. But we've had over a year to come to terms with the truth. At least give him a few hours."
She didn't know if she could wait a few hours. It was hard enough being separated from him now that he was back – in the days since they're reunion he had never left her side for more than a moment – and only when necessary.
But being separated now was entirely different from a latrine trip. He had left her without a smile, without a promise to come right back. He hadn't become angry like he had when they lost Faina and Leif, or distant either. He had begun to mutter half denials – of what she could not say – and had left the room as quickly as if he were fleeing again. His eyes had been glassy and she knew that it was not beneath him to cry. She could not take the thought of Capell off somewhere, weeping on his own.
Not her Capell. He was never supposed to feel pain again.
She could have killed Kiriya.
"Don't take this out of Kiriya," - how did Eugene always know what the others were thinking? "Capell had to find out eventually and I can't imagine he would have reacted any better if we had waited. To be honest it may have been worse. He might have resented this secret being kept from him."
"Capell doesn't resent anyone." Aya bit back. "Not me for dragging him into the war. Not Edward for treating him so badly for so long. Not even his father for giving him up as a baby."
"True," Eugene murmured, "but keeping this from him could still have hurt him. I'm not saying that Kiriya acted in the right – he could absolutely have used more tact. I am saying, though, that what's done is done and now we have to make the best of it." He gave her arm a gentle squeeze before releasing her and turning back towards the drawing room. "Now let's go back and wait. If in a couple of hours he does not return we'll all go and find him together."
Aya nodded woodenly and followed the former priest like a runaway child being led back home.
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He couldn't be with them right now. He couldn't bear their looks, their words.
Sigmund would never kill innocent men. He would absolutely never try to kill his comrades! Never! How could this be happening?
Capell knew it was not easy to pretend to be the imposing man. The people who had known him so well would have known if it was an imposter immediately. Capell could not convince himself it was not Sigmund the team had encountered. They would have told him if they had even suspected it.
But they hadn't. And Eugene had said Sigmund felt he was saving them from something worse than death. Capell knew the former Liberator was capable of making hard decisions for the greater good. But could he really kill those he loved? Even if it was to protect them from a fate worse than death – wouldn't he try to save them first? Protect what you hold most dear with your life. That was the law he lived by. To kill those he loved as a form of salvation? It made no sense!
His face was still burning from the tears he wept. He had been up on the moon this entire time, believing his father was looking out for him, guiding him, and all the while the man had been in some other realm trying to slay his friends. It broke his heart to think his father was not in the paradise he had envisioned before. That he was -
And a crystal clear thought broke within his mind – putting an end to the misery of how the father he and the world admired so would be capable of murder. He'd been so preoccupied with the thought of what his father was doing that a very crucial fact had gone unobserved.
Sigmund had been in that place.
They never had a body to bury – that fateful day at Vesplume Tower. Sigmund had just vanished. Did they mistakenly assume he was dead, like the world had assumed of Capell? Did he simply go from one Vesplume Tower to another?
Leonid! Leonid had lived! The Dreadknight had disappeared in the same flash of light, but had not died in it as they had first thought.
Capell's heart flipped within his chest. It was true – it had to be!
Sigmund was alive!
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A/N
So I read the first chapter and although my personal rule is to try to leave off on a cliffhanger, I realized Chapter 1's cliffhanger wasn't as grand as I had imagined. So I did THIS and in record time, too. Don't expect me to be able to whip out chapters this quickly in the future. It's the weekend and I actually had *gasp* FREE TIME!
Let me know what you think. Thanks!