Ch 9: Van

The sky was the dark blue that Van favored. The color meant the temperature was chilling at best, breath takingly icy at free falling speeds. They were above the low clouds which were fluffy white. Hitomi pressed into his left arm, her cool fingers twining around his last three fingers. He smiled to himself at the familiar act shared between them.

"Van, Allen says we will be arriving within an hour. The altimeters are reading close to the coordinates of the Draconian Empire." Folken spoke almost directly into his ear. Van acknowledged his brother's words with a nod and flicked his gaze to the command table where two of his advisors sat with Allen and Gaddes. Though Allen was polite and knew how to manage stodgy diplomats, Gaddes was obviously frustrated with the white haired advisor's constant reassessments about when they would arrive.

His small envoy was on its way to meet with Apollo and his mother. After the Dragon elders accepted her so readily, and since she told me what happened, I can't help but wonder if Apollo's mother is involved. Why else would Apollo have risked the peace to visit Hitomi? His thoughts reflected the many insecurities that were growing about choosing to marry Hitomi so quickly after coming back to Fanelia. It was true his kingdom was still rebuilding, and it was crucial they maintained peace ties with the Draconians. But, Van also knew that there were some underhand dealings occurring within his own walls. Hitomi had told him she trusted her maid Kara, almost as much as she trusted Merle and that Kara had told her several servants were gossiping about Hitomi. They were saying she was from the Mystic Moon, and she would not be allowed to marry the king. Van had been very angry and Hitomi had had to get Folken to prevent any sort of rash bloodshed. Why is everyone choosing to hide things from me? I am their king. My temper does not matter. Van stopped and considered for a minute that perhaps his temper did matter. It was often a source of tears for Hitomi and he wanted only her happiness. It had indeed felt like hell to him, the last few months. This was one of the more recent trips where they had a bit more freedom to spend time together. It felt like their old adventures again. One annoying difference however, was the constant interruptions.

"Hitomi has been doing well in her lessons, Van." Folken spoke so only his brother and future sister in law could hear, though there was no reason to conceal what he spoke of. Van wondered if Folken intentionally tried to rile his nosy advisors. Van smiled at Hitomi and replied, "Good. Folken says language is an important part of diplomacy and respect." She beamed up at him, clearly glowing from his praise. Do I praise her so infrequently? I should do it more to see her beautiful smile. His smile grew as he looked at her, and he forgot Folken for a moment. "E-hem. Yes, I know I say that. You could benefit more from the lessons as well, dear Dragon." Van hastily glared at Folken and growled, "I didn't think I would be going on that diplomacy mission...Chid said it was enough if Hitomi went." Hitomi's smile faded and she snapped, "It doesn't matter if you're going or not, the lessons were my idea. But if you don't want to spend more time with me that's fine." She stepped away from him suddenly, feeling a need to emphasize her words with distance. Van cringed inwardly and looked at Folken, who shrugged.

Folken sometimes told Van there were reasons he chose to remain unmarried. It didn't mean Folken had any less female companionship than Van, but the females were different almost each time. "Hitomi, of course I want to spend time with you, you should have told me." He waited for her to latch on to his arm again, but she only turned her head so she would be involved in the conversation. "We can talk about it later Van. Folken has told me that you and I will be alone with the Queen and Apollo much of the time we are here. Do you know why?" Van frowned reflexively to think, and wondered if she was testing him or genuinely wanted to know. When she made no move to answer for him he glanced at Folken and replied, "It is only as it appears, so that she can get to know you and me again on a personal level. The Draconians favor us for my Draconian ancestry, and welcome us as if we were long lost family." Hitomi nodded slowly, then Van recognized her hooded look which revealed uncertainty veiled in a question. She raised her eyes to meet Folken's and he nodded to her.

"What is this?" Van hissed, suddenly out of patience. It seemed they were communicating without him.

"Hitomi knows they will see through our story." Folken spoke in a barely audible tone. Van's fervor seemed to go out of him as he considered something he knew, but hadn't acknowledged.

His face split into a boyish grin and he muttered, "I knew I forgot to tell you something. Glad you figured it out."

Hitomi looked shocked, like the time she slapped him in the barn, and she retorted, "If you cared to meet with Folken and I when I invited you, then you wouldn't be apologizing right now!"

Van's eyes narrowed too quickly, and he was beside himself when he replied angrily, "I wasn't apologizing! Don't you think I have more important things to attend to then your and my brother's meetings?" Four heads from across the room swiveled to glance over in response to the strength of Van's tone.

Hitomi continued to glare at him and dared to reply, "Of course, your grace, leave trifling things such as your marriage to me." With a flick of her skirts she swished away, presumably to her chambers on board the Royal Fanelian Airship. Folken shot a look of disapproval at Van and followed Hitomi.

Van stared after them, baffled. Why did she presume he thought the marriage was trifling? Constant meetings were boring, and his recent travels were mostly filled with stuffy banquets and traditional ceremonies. When he returned to Fanelia the last thing he wanted to do was spend more time in meetings with Folken, even if Hitomi was there as well.

While Hitomi and Folken would meet, Van would be hunting in the forest, or consumed with meetings and decisions of a domestic nature. Rebuilding a great city was never ending and exhausting work. Marriage and running a kingdom was full of events he loathed. If he had his way, he and Hitomi would have been married under the stars and trees, and the kingdom would be rebuilt already. Instead, here they were together, fighting on their way to another potential diplomatic catastrophe.

Van sighed like he was sixteen again, and raked his right hand through his unruly locks. His clothes stifled him to no end, and he wondered what the point of being King was when you were still required to take orders about dress and manners. Why was Hitomi being so touchy? He couldn't stop thinking about her. It made him reflect again on her reported encounter in the woods. He had not been able to talk with her more about what it could mean due to his traveling schedule and diplomatic missions both at home and abroad. After being lost in thought for so long, he turned abruptly and sat heavily at the table with Allen and Gaddes.

"Leave us." Van muttered to the advisors clustered by the table.

"Ah, women can be troubling, my liege. You have so many at your disposal...let us know if we can ever be of assistance to our great Dragon in this matter." His advisors rose quickly as they spoke and gave their king his space. For once, they would not be an irritation. He didn't give their parting words much thought.

Gaddes handed him a tankard filled with foamy, bitter brown ale and Van gratefully took a large swallow. It was better this way, separate. The three men drank for a moment before Allen broke the silence.

"I don't know what this is about, and I damn sure don't know what the Draconians are planning, Van. But you have to present a united front at all costs. We have worked too hard to allow you to continue to behave childishly." Van stared into his beer, apparently ignoring the lecture. Gaddes chuckled as he finished the rest of his drink, "What the commander is trying to say, your royal highness, is that your advisors will jump on any chance you give them...to get rid of Hitomi." This statement caused Van's head to jerk up. Again? I thought we had them in our pocket after the engagement ceremony...the public loved her so.

"I trust both of you probably more than anyone...do you know of any plot?" Van looked first into Allen's eyes, then Gaddes'. Gaddes barked out a laugh, Allen smiled grimly and replied, "Of course Lord Van. At any one time I am aware of multiple plots. But it is my job to ensure none of them reach you. I eliminate all threats to the Fanelian throne. You know this Lord Van." Van nodded dejectedly as Gaddes refilled his cup.

Allen stood abruptly and turned his attention to the Airship's altimeters and other landing controls. Gaddes turned to look out the window and smiled as he saw the gleaming white and silver plated cities of the Atlantian home world. "We're here Lord Van...you should-". Allen turned at the sound of rushing wind and to see why Gaddes stopped. Gaddes cracked a lopsided smile and shrugged sheepishly. One of the windows was hanging open. Allen's eyes narrowed, "Van."