"The Slumber"
Chapter 4
~Dreams of Promise~
By: Willow Mae

Endymion looked about him. Darkness. It wasn't the type of darkness he was familiar with; it was cold and sharp. He could feel it pressing around him, squeezing him, twisting him, clawing at him, until he could hardly breathe anymore. He struggled vainly, the pain engulfing him and swallowing him with relish. He could feel his spirit melt under the blackness, withering like a rose without water.

It was then that he saw it. Cutting through the darkness was a light, faint thought it was. It drew near to him, a light blue that loosened the grip of the dark. It hovered near him, shielding him from the black pain and torment. Slowly, he began to breathe again, and he opened his eyes. The darkness was still about him, but it was no longer threatening. Instead, it wrapped about him like a blanket as the blue light disappeared, taking him into a deep, relaxing sleep. When he awoke, he would make sure to thank the powerful healer who cleansed him of Beryl's venom. But now, he slept.

***

Minako turned to face the men. "Do not crowd him, he will be all right. He just needs rest." Reluctantly, the generals left the side of their prince.

"How long will he stay like that?" Jadeite asked, casting a glance over his shoulder at the sleeping man. Below his calm mask, lines of worry were beginning to form.

"It is unclear at this moment." The healer told him. "I will need to monitor his recovery for a time."

"Meanwhile, you will explain yourselves. Why have you come here?" The voice was faintly dangerous, and probing.

"Lady, as we have explained before, we flee from war." Kunzite began. "We were attempting to regroup when Beryl's minions…" A dark shadow crossed over the women's faces.

Okay, no Beryl He quickly thought. "Our prince was injured and there was little chance of survival. After a struggle, we found ourselves in your gardens."

"How did you manage to get here?" Jupiter quickly shot at him. "All access has been cut off."

"Milady, we borrowed horses from a nearby farm and rode away. Our first thought was for our prince's safety, so we did not see where we went." Nephrite spoke hastily.

"Do not mock my intelligence sir! One cannot ride here!"

"Peace, peace." Kunzite bowed low. "Please, ladies, we meant no harm. True, we did not ride here. True also, we did not see how we arrived because our first thoughts were for him." He looked at Endymion.

"However they arrived, it no longer makes a difference." Mercury spoke up. "They got through by means of a distortion in the protective space, it fluctuates every few turns. At the time of their arrival it must have been weakened, but it is a surprise that they are still alive. It is no worry of ours, anyone attempting to *purposefully* arrive here would not survive the travel." Jadeite quickly shut his gaping mouth as he received a sharp glance from his friends.

"So be it. We do not need to know the means of your arrival. You are here now, with a wounded friend, and we shall help you until he is able to leave." Minako looked pointedly at Mako and Rei. "When he is well, you shall leave and not return, never telling anyone of this encounter. If we discover that you have spoken of this, it would be a grave fate for you all. Is this understood?" she questioned them harshly.

"We agree and understand, Milady." The men answered. Minako's lips curled in what could be either a smirk or a smile.

"Good. Now if you will follow us, we shall get you situated in a place to stay." She turned swiftly and motioned for Rei to join her. Quickly she murmured a few instructions to Makoto and Ami. "Make sure the grounds are secure, then find me in the North Room." The two women nodded and headed off. Rei and Minako lead the generals down the long white halls of the palace until they reached the guest halls. The men looked about them in awe.

"What sort of place is this?" Zoisite murmured to himself.

"You will please remain in these rooms until you are retrieved for meals. At that point, we will discuss arrangements further." Rei said, looking them over intently. "Good day, gentlemen." The women closed the doors behind them. A few minutes went by as the generals took in the rooms assigned to them. Then, Nephrite stood and approached the doors through which their hosts had left.

"What are you doing Neph?" Jadeite asked him. "They told us not to leave, and I doubt it would do us any good turn them against us any more than they already have."

"I'm just checking something. Locked." Nephrite grasped the handle and tugged slightly. "As I suspected. What have we done to aggravate them so?" He declared angrily, turning and falling heavily into a nearby chair.

"We came uninvited, trespassed, looked around, imposed on their healer, lied…" Zoisite began to pace, ticking the points off on his fingers. "Shall I continue?" Nephrite glared daggers at his friend.

"No need." He replied dryly.

"We haven't much choice than to do as they suggest, and become situated in our rooms." Kunzite said flatly, examining a room on his left. "I must say, this place is incredible. Absolutely incredible…"

"We don't even know their names." Jadeite grumbled. " 'Of course we don't call each other Earthlings, such insult!' my --- foot. I'm tempted to call her 'Earthling' just to see what happens."

"Jade, you must learn to control that temper of yours." Zoisite told him lightly. "I'm sure we'll find out their names soon enough…and I warrant they'll find out ours. We just have to wait." He poked his head into a nearby room. "I claim this one. Anyway, we should wash up before they return for the meal. I wonder where they keep the water…" he wandered into his new room. The other generals quickly situated themselves and waited for the return of their mysterious hosts.

"The Slumber"

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