Love Across Time: Hidden Royalty
Disclaimer: I don't own Rayearth.
Chapter 11: Threat of War
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"It looks like we have no choice though," said Lafarga, "Go to war, or break the alliance, right?"
"Yes, if you decide to keep the alliance, you must face Atlantis in battle," said Oiang Ang. "You should also know if you decide to keep our alliance, we can not aid you in the battle since it is over us."
As everyone talked over the details of the situation, Aska hoped Cephiro would not keep the alliance. Not that she had anything against Cephiro rather, she worried for their safety. She remembered her first meeting with Atlantis and knew they were a force to recon with.
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Aska looked out her window searching the blue planet for the great capital. Not seeing it right away she turned and pouted at Oiang Ang. "Where is the city!" she cried.
Oiang Ang shook his head with a sigh, "Lady Aska, if you would study your history, you would know that the capital city is under water, as are the majority of the cities. Only a few of the villages are on land.
"Underwater? Are they mere people?" she asked moving away from her spot.
"No Aska, they can breath under water but they are not mere people. Their castle, Corazon del Mar, is uniquely built. One part was built so visitors could stay, constructed out of glass domes, stone and crystal walls. In some places a magical barrier keeps the water from coming into the rest of the castle, which goes into the Atlantican part of the castle. For them, water is like what air is to us, so they do not bother to try and keep it out. All the gardens are underwater as well."
"But what if I want to visit that part?" asked Aska.
"They will give you a pendant, that will allow you to breath under water," said Oiang Ang.
Aska nodded and grew quite.
"Lady Aska?"
"Will they like me? It is my first visit and well…I'm a little nervous," she whispered.
"Lady Aska, I would not have set out on this visit if I was not fully confident in you. I am very proud of you," the faithful regent reassured her. Aska smiled up at him for his words, as her ship began to descend to the blue planet.
"Sang Yung," called Aska turning to her aid, "The gift for the new princess is safely packed?"
"Yes Lady Aska," said Sang Yung with a bow.
"Please go get it and, have everyone get ready. We missed the coronation of King Yuu, Queen Nadesico and the new princess, I will not have us arriving empty handed."
"Yes my Lady," said Sang Yung as he left to gather the gifts. The second captain of her ship appeared to tell her that they would be docking in fifteen minutes.
'Well, here we go,' thought Aska.
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"Welcome Lady Aska to Atlantis." Aska curtsied deeply to King Yuu, who stood on a dais, which held the eleven thrones of the royal family.
"I must ask for your forgiveness for sending representatives to your coronation, instead of coming myself. I'm afraid we had some very difficult problems on our planet that demanded our complete attention. Fahren has deeply missed your majesties these past sixteen years. We did fear for Atlantis but now we rejoice with the rest of the planet at your return. Again, please forgive our delay in coming to greet you, and as a sign of your acceptance, please receive these gifts." Aska motioned to the three servants that stood behind her, to step forward. The first servant bowed before King Yuu, extending the gift in her arms to him.
"This bridle, and the horse which it belongs to are for you, High King," said Aska; King Yuu examined the bridle of rich leather, silver pieces, and blue diamonds
"This," said Aska motioning to the second servant, who bowed before the Queen, "ivory broach and diamond bracelet were specifically picked out for you, High Queen Nadesico. And this," the last servant bowed to the youngest princess, "Silver tiara is for you, Princess Umi." Aska bowed and waited nervously for their reply.
"Young Empress," King Yuu raised his hand as she started to protest, "It will not be long before you are Empress, Lady Aska, and I feel it is appropriate to start calling you by your rightful title."
Aska bowed her head; her own court had been discussing that very point as well.
"We willingly accept your apologies, and gratefully accept your gifts," he said with a smile. "Before we dismiss for lunch, there are a few more audiences still to be heard. If you wish to, you can sit with the other princess, while we finish?"
"I would be honored High King," said Aska with a smile. Prince Tenchi, who sat by the youngest of the princess, rose immediately and offered his throne to Aska, who was helped up the dais by Yukito.
"Thank you for the tiara," whispered the Princess Umi, giving Aska a gentle smile.
"Your welcome," whispered Aska before both girls turned their attention back to the audiences. After a few minutes into the audiences, Aska let her eyes wander the throne room. This throne room, if she remembered correctly was called, The Nation Throne room, due to the fact that the dais was large enough to hold all eleven thrones for the ruling family. A huge glass dome was the ceiling of the room, and from time to time she could see schools of fish, and pods of dolphins and whales. Her eyes scanned over the court and saw why Atlantis was known as the Planet of Warriors.
The guards that were posted around the room, proudly held their curved swords in their hands showing off the decorative blades. King Yuu and his seven sons wore black pants, with black Qipao style jackets, with gold patterns on the collars and sleeves. King Yuu's rapier hung at his waist, the silver hilt flashing when light hit it. The princes had either two kodachis, or a pair of rapiers hanging at their waist, or strapped to their back in simple but beautiful sheaths. The members of the court were equally impressive. The men wore shirts and pants of various shades of blues, blacks and whites. Each shirt was embroidered on the front with the family seal the man belonged to. Every man wore some type of sword at his hip, or dagger.
The women wore long gowns in different colors of the sea, some with long sleeves that touched the floor, and some with no sleeves, caped sleeves, and spaghetti strapped or halter toped. All the women wore shawls around their shoulders, or tied as a sash around their waists. From just looking at them, it appeared that the women were unarmed, which confused Aska who knew that all the women of Atlantis were just as armed as the men. Leaning towards the young princess beside her, Aska tapped her arm.
"Princess, why do the men appear to be the only ones armed? I was told that the women of Atlantis were as equally as armed as the men."
"Please call me Umi," whispered the young princess back, "You are correct Lady Aska. The women of Atlantis are armed, but don't like to be feared by strangers. Our men do a good enough job of that," smiled Umi. "All the women either hid their daggers in the folds of their gowns or, they wear them in their hair. The royal women wear these." Umi lifted her left hand, on the back of her hand, a blue intricate design was tattooed, it glowed a moment but then died down.
"What is it?" asked Aska.
"The tattoo is a spell that stores my rapier." At that moment the audience King Yuu had been listening to, had come to an end, and Nadesico rose from her throne.
"Husband, with your permission, may the women and I be dismissed?" she asked softly, realizing that the younger women were getting a little restless.
"The ladies and the Princess may, but I will ask if you will stay behind," said King Yuu.
"Of course," said Nadesico making a motion with her hand, before she sat down again. Several women filtered out, but a few stayed behind.
"Come on," urged Umi taking Aska's hand, "I'll show you around until lunch."
Aska nodded and after dismissing Oiang Ang and Sang Yung, went off with the Princess.
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Aska stayed at Atlantis for a month and became very good friends with the Princess Umi. She had learned that not all the princes lived in the palace. Two days after her arrival, the princes had to return to the domains they were in charge off. Only Yukito remained behind, since he was the High Prince and was heir to his father's throne. Umi told her that the presence of all the ruling demi kings, as well as the High king and queen, and the princess to meet her, was a sign of respect to Aska. Umi had taken Aska all over Corozon del Mar, even into the outside of the castle. Aska had been nervous at first but Umi assured her that the lotus pendant, would not only allow her to breath freely, but also move freely.
The two had gotten along really well, even though they both had hot tempers. The only time there had been an uncomfortable moment, was when Aska asked Umi about a ring she wore.
It was a solid silver band, with a pattern that looked Autozamian, engraved on it. It looked too masculine for her, and too big because she had another ring in front of it to keep it from slipping off. The smile on Umi's face had fallen when she asked who had given it to her. For a few moments Umi had said nothing.
"I can't remember clearly who gave it to me. It has always been with me. I only know someone I loved gave it to me, and now he is dead. Taken along with my guardian." The two had parted in silence, Aska knowing Umi needed sometime alone.
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On her last day, Aska found herself being called before the monarchs again. She was a little nervous because, when she entered she saw that the entire royal family was assembled again. Aska chided herself for feeling that way. They were just following the proper protocol of seeing her off. Her nervousness returned however, when King Yuu spoke.
"Lady, I mean Empress Aska, I'm sure you are wondering why all the monarchs have been assembled again. A serious matter has come to our attention, and the presence of the other rulers is needed." King Yuu leaned forward slightly in his throne and locked eyes with Aska. "I will first ask that, all of you," here he looked pointedly at his sons for a moment, "would keep comments, tempers and out burst of any kind in check." The princes bowed their heads to their father. "We have heard that Fahren has recently formed an alliance. Please tell us Young Empress, have you entered into an alliance with Cephiro?"
"Yes, your majesties we have," answered Aska shifting slightly under King Yuu's stare. King Yuu nodded and sat back in his throne shutting his eyes. Aska looked to the princes and noticed a strange fire burning in their eyes. The princesses sat stiffly in their thrones, and the court was eerily silent. Aska looked worriedly to King Yuu and could feel the pin prick of tears behind her eyes, as fear and frustration started to overwhelm her. Queen Nadesico hurriedly went to her and wrapped her arms around Aska in a reassuring hug.
"So, finally someone has decided to defy us by taking our only ally," said Yukito breaking the silence. "They are very brave…or rather, very foolish."
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Aska sighed and watched as the others continued talking. King Yuu had asked her to deliver the choice of ending the alliance or battle, to Cephiro. Aska had tried to explain that Cephiro had not made the alliance as an act of defiance but the Atlantican court would not hear it. Once Aska had returned to Fahren, she had her ship prepared for the immediate departure to Cephiro.
"What do we do now?" asked Lantis, "On the one side we have two planets threatening to end their alliance with Chizeta and Autozam. On the other hand we have a planet threatening war."
"I know!" cried Tatra suddenly with a smile. "I believe the cause of our allies anger, is a false or misinterpreted reports they have received about Cephiro. The rulers of these planets have never met anyone of Cephiro, or seen it themselves. And with the high families just returning, they have probably only heard of Cephiro falling apart, because of the pillar. I suggest that Prince Ferio, Master Mage Clef, and anyone else you think, should travel to Squall, Atlantis and Vulcana. Speak with each of the rulers, and explain the situation."
"Excellent idea Tatra!" said Presea smiling broadly.
"I think so too," said Ferio, "Begin the preparations to leave immediately."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for the wait.