Love Across Time: Hidden Royalty
Disclaimer: I don't own Rayearth
Chapter 9: Chizeta Breaks an Alliance
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"I wonder what the Princess's of Chizeta wish to speak to us about so urgently," wondered Clef out loud, glancing around the circular table where everyone was seated.
"I'm not sure, but I'm nervous. Something is wrong," said Ferio leaning back in his chair.
"You may be right your highness," said Lafarga entering the room. "The Princess of Chizeta have arrived, but so has Eagle Vision of Autozam and Lady Aska of Fahren. They are also asking to speak with us immediately."
The room fell silent and a feeling of uneasiness settled on everyone.
"Why would the three planet leaders be coming here so urgently? I think it would be best if we see them all at once," said Ferio decidedly. Lafarga nodded and soon returned with the three leaders. After everyone sat down and pleasantries were made, Tatra got straight to the point of her visit.
"Your majesty, it is with a heavy heart that Tarta and I have made the journey to see you," Tatra paused trying to decide what she was going to say. "We have been asked to terminate our alliance with Cephiro."
"What?" shouted Ascot and Lantis in unison.
"Well, it's more of a demand," said Tarta.
"You see," said Tatra quickly explaining, "Our neighboring planet, Vulcana, about a week ago learned of our alliance. They have demanded immediate termination."
"I have never heard of this planet," said Clef as anger entered his voice, "Why do they demand the breaking of our alliance?"
"Before we answer that, perhaps you should know more about Vulcana," said Tatra pulling out a small devise and setting it on the table. A hologram of a red planet appeared.
"This is Vulcana, our neighbor and strongest ally. Sixteen years ago the High King Yoshi and his wife, Sakura, for some unknown reason disappeared with their three sons, Satoru, Masaru and Kakeru. Yoshi returned however, but only periodically and only for a day or two at a time. He would speak nothing about his family but that was mostly because he was taking care of the planet, and dealing with the issues that had come up since his last trip. When the oldest son turned thirteen, he accompanied his father on these trips. You know, to learn, so he could take over when it was his time to rule. When the High Prince turned seventeen, he married Tomoyo, the daughter of a respected noble man, whom he had been betrothed to at a young age.
On the day of their marriage, King Yoshi handed over the rule of the planet to Satoru and Tomoyo. He said it was because the portal that allowed them to travel back and forth was getting harder and harder for him to pass through. Then on the next trip, Satoru arrived alone. Like his father, he did not speak of his family, but attended to his duties. He also spent time with Tomoyo, who stayed on Vulcana to take on the role of Queen, and give the people some sense of stability.
Five years passed and Satoru continued to travel between Vulcana and the other world where he had to live. Trouble was beginning to rise however, when people began to question if Satoru should be King at all. It was argued that he was not in Vulcana enough to truly understand what was going on. They were also suspicious of Yoshi's extended absence, but Satoru would not answer any questions concerning his father. When pressed he would only say, that his father was ill.
The following year, Tarta and I along with our family, were invited to Vulcana to be present as the family was presented to the people. The return of the entire royal family was definitely wonderful and unexpected news. When we arrived, we meet Satoru who lead us to a balcony with the people of Vulcana gathered below. Satoru presented to his people, his brothers and introduced his sister. She is the only princess of Vulcana, and had been born during their absence from the planet. He then announced that…" Tatra's voice faltered and she began to cry.
"Satoru told all of us that six years earlier Yoshi and Sakura had both died," said Tarta hugging her sister. "Before he died, Yoshi had sworn Satoru to silence, forbidding him from telling the people, until he and the rest of the family returned permanently to Vulcana. He then called for the traditional monarch-mourning period of a year. That period ended a month ago and the new Princess and the Princes were coroneted. Satoru and Tomoyo were also officially made the High King and Queen of Vulcana. Satoru asked Tatra and I to come last week, and he told us that it had recently come to his attention, that we had made a alliance. He wanted to hear from us who the alliance was with. When we told him, he told us, in no uncertain terms, that we had to end the alliance." Tatra shivered slightly when her sister finished speaking, as she remembered that day.
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Tatra forced her heavy eyelids open as she changed positions in the chair she sat in. A judge was speaking to Satoru about a dispute over the interpretation of a law. Tatra couldn't wait for this man to finish, she and Tarta where to have the next audience. Tatra was impressed by the countenances of the Vulcanian monarchs. Everyone in the room looked bored stiff, and had forced focus on the judge. Satoru and Tomoyo however, showed focused and interest as they spoke with the judge. The young Princess Hikaru, mirrored her brother's attentiveness from her seat at Tomoyo's left, her ever-present red wolf lying at her feet. Tatra also noticed that Satoru's brothers, who sat to his right, whispered with each other, sometimes leaning over to speak with Satoru. Watching them brought her thoughts back to wondering why Satoru had summoned them. It was obviously something important because Masaru and Kakeru were present. Usually they were at their palaces ruling the regions they were in charge of. Plus they were in the Great Throne room where each monarch had their own throne, instead of the Capital Throne room, where there was only the two thrones of the King and Queen. She felt a little apprehensive as the judge bowed ending his audience, and left the room.
"Princess of Chizeta," called Satoru smiling at them as they moved to stand before him. "We have called you here to clear up a matter. It has come to our attention that Chizeta has made an alliance. Is this true?"
"Yes your majesty," said Tatra with a smile of relief.
'They are just curious about the alliance,' thought Tarta relived like her sister.
"Who is it that you have created this alliance with?" questioned Masaru.
"With the planet Cephiro your majesties," smiled Tatra.
Satoru's friendly and open faced, darkened suddenly at her answer. Masaru and Kakeru jumped to their feet with angry shouts, which were echoed by the people in the room.
Tomoyo looked to her husband with a worried glance, and the young princess's face paled and her knuckles turned white from her grip on her throne. Tomoyo moved to her side wrapping her arms around her, when the young woman started to cry. Satoru rose slowly from his throne to stand beside his brothers. Tatra looked worriedly at Tarta, and felt a chill run down her spine as Satoru spoke.
"This is indeed a surprise. Cephiro is not a planet we wish to be identified with. If you are indeed in alliance with them, then I am afraid Vulcana must sever its ties with Chizeta."
"I don't understand," sputtered Tarta, "What do your majesties hold against Cephiro? I believe you have not even visited there."
Satoru nodded his head solemnly, "That is true but they have all ready injured us. Either sever your ties with Cephiro, or cut yours with us."
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The royal family had left the room after that. She and Tarta had hurried home, after talking it over with their parents and the court, they made the sad journey to Cephiro.
"So what have you decided?" asked Clef.
"If Vulcana demands this termination, then we have no choice. Our alliance with them goes back for centuries. We will remain loyal to Vulcana," said Tarta.
"Please understand," begged Tatra, "To break our alliance with them, would be an insult that would lead to war. We will of course maintain our friendship with Cephiro, and give assistance when we can. However, we can not be your allies."
Eagle cleared his throat and stood up from his chair, breaking the silence that had settled on the room.
"I'm afraid I to have bad news to deliver."