Crossing Paths
Elizabeth was out of breath by the time she reached the Marakians. They had been permitted to set up a camp just outside the city walls. Prince Lucius had remained with several of his advisors and generals, and they had a dozen large tents erected in a protective circle around the prince's, which was the largest and most grand of the set.
Two guards immediately stopped the princess as she ran up to them. "Please," she panted, "I need to speak to the prince." She pushed past them against their protests and hurried to the center tent.
The prince and two of his Holy Knights were inside, and they all looked up in surprise as she entered. "Your Highness," called the soldiers who had followed her, "our apologies, but she just—"
"It's fine," Prince Lucius said, smiling and standing. "My dear Princess Elizabeth, how wonderful to see you. But I thought our meeting was later in the day?"
"I must speak with you," she said with a deep breath. "It's a matter of great urgency."
The prince smiled and nodded to the guards. "Now, my princess," he said, walking over to her and taking her hand, "what is it you need to discuss?"
Elizabeth shook her head and gently pulled her hand away. "I'm afraid I have something terrible to tell you." She swallowed. "The king is planning to attack your camp tomorrow. I believe he is going to send his Holy Knights against you."
Lucius frowned. "Why would he do that? I thought we had had an agreement."
"The king is not… himself," she said. "My sister and I—" She wrung her hands and blurted on, "To be honest, we don't know what is wrong with him. I never imagined he would do something like this. You must leave at once."
There was a pause as the prince regarded her with narrowed eyes. "Is this some kind of a trick? If it's true, why would you tell me this?"
"It's not a trick!" she insisted. "I could not stand by and let him do this. I meant everything I said about our kingdoms having peace."
"You are defying your father and king with this warning, and yet you want me to trust you?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Please, Your Highness. My sister Margaret is doing what she can to stop this. But if she fails, the Holy Knights will follow the king's command. You must be safely away as soon as possible."
The prince turned away, considering her warning. He exchanged a glance with his advisors, and then faced the guard. "Liones has threatened us," he said to them. "We must leave at once." The advisors nodded and exited the tent as he turned to the remaining guards. "Make sure the princess doesn't leave. She will accompany us back to Marakia."
Elizabeth gasped. "What? I couldn't possibly—"
"I told you before that I was not leaving without a princess. If you are with me, the king may exhibit some restraint."
"You can't do this! I won't go with you!"
"You don't have a choice."
"No!" Lucius began to leave, and Elizabeth rushed in front of him. "I trusted you! I betrayed my own father to come here!" she cried.
"And I thank you for that." The prince smiled. "I'm sure you'll be happy in Marakia, with me. We go within the hour." He stepped around her and swept out of the tent.
Elizabeth went to follow him, but the guards blocked the door. She stepped back, clutching a hand to her chest. She wished furiously that she had brought Diane with her. Elizabeth suspected that no one would start to look for her until well after they were gone. Now her efforts to stop a war were all for nothing. She knew the Holy Knights would come after her and force the battle Lucius was running to avoid.
Her only hope now was for Gilthunder to become Grand Master and stop the attack. If they succeeded, maybe she could convince Lucius to bring her back. But if they did not… Once again she wished that Diane was there, and her hand brushed against a small lump under her dress. Moving away from the guards, she pulled on the chain around her neck looked down at the coin now in her hand.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before pressing the coin between her palms. Opening her hands, she saw that the coin now glowed with a soft blue light. The light began to pulse, and as she prayed she was making the right decision, she could not help but feel a small twinge of relief.
.o0o.
King sat on the lookout balcony and sighed. Mama Hawk moved at an easy pace towards their next town, but they were still leagues away from the capital. King was anxious to get there as quickly as possible to check on Diane. He knew deep down that if she was in danger—or worse—he would know, somehow. But that did nothing to alleviate the growing sense of dread he felt.
Gripping Chastiefol, he leaned over the side of the railing. Below, Meliodas and Ban were playing some kind of game with Hawk. Their shouts and laughter floated up to him as he huffed in frustration. How could they carry on like this when Liones could be in danger, their friends in danger? He would have never in a million years guessed the Captain would be so callous when it came to the princess. Meliodas had assured them several times that Diane and Elizabeth were fine, but there was no way he could know that for sure.
He felt something nudge his elbow, and he sat back and looked down. Oslow snorted up at him, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. King scratched his head for a moment, and then gripped his hand into a fist. "Oslow, let's go. I want to go to Liones Castle." He looked down at the black dog. "Can you find Diane? She should be with Princess Elizabeth. Can you take me to them?"
Oslow gave a harsh bark and jumped, disappearing in a blink of an eye. King peeked down over the railing again, making sure no one had seen or heard them. A moment later, Oslow reappeared, giving a series of short barks. "Quiet," King hissed. The hound yawned, his mouth growing larger, and King climbed inside.
The next moment, the Grizzly Sin blinked and found himself in a wholly unfamiliar place. "Oslow, what did you do?" he complained, and then was interrupted when he heard someone shout his name. He turned around and saw the princess rushing towards him. "Sir King! It's you!" She laughed and took his hand. "I'm so glad! Did Sir Meliodas send you?"
King looked at her, confused. "No, Oslow brought me here." He looked around. "Where is Diane?"
"I don't know," Elizabeth whispered.
"Oslow!" The dog barked at King's feet. "I told you I wanted you to bring me to Diane. Diane." The dog gave another rough yap. "No, I said she should be with the princess." A low growl. "Would you just go and find Diane now?" Oslow made a high-pitched bark and jumped out of sight.
"Sir King!" There was a tightness in Elizabeth's voice that drew the Sin's attention. He looked at her and frowned. "What is it?"
"You must be quiet or they'll hear you!"
"Who?"
She leaned down. "There are two guards at the door. Can you help me get out of here?"
"Why are there guards at the door? What's going on?" He looked around again. "Is this the castle?"
"No," she hissed. "Please, they'll hear you."
"What's going on in there?" The guards entered, drawing up short when they spotted King. "Who are you? No one is allowed in here!" They drew their swords, and King lifted his hand. "Spirit Spear Chastiefol, Form—"
"No!" Elizabeth cried, grabbing King's arm. "Don't kill them!"
"I'm not going to kill them," he said calmly. The Sacred Treasure had transformed into dozens of small spears, and they hung in the air, inches from where the soldiers stood, frozen in fear. "Now tell me what is going on."
"My father is planning an attack on the Marakians. This is Prince Lucius' tent." Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath. "He was keeping me here. He wanted to take me back to Marakia with him."
King frowned. "I don't understand. Why would the king—"
"Please, Sir King!" she cried. "It's been almost an hour, the prince should be back any minute. I don't want there to be any fighting, and if he finds me here—"
"All right, all right," he muttered. King turned his attention back to the soldiers. "Run away now, please."
The soldiers took a step backwards. "Our orders are—" They were cut off as King snapped his fingers, and the daggers surged forward. Both turned and fled from the tent.
Elizabeth clapped her hands. "Thank you! Now, please, let's get out of here."
"Wait. Where is Diane?"
The princess shook her head. "I don't know. I left her back at the castle more than two hours ago."
Before he could respond, there was a shout from outside the tent, and then the sound of an explosion. Elizabeth screamed as the blast caused the tent to collapse. King grabbed her arm and pulled her away, and out into the camp.
The scene outside was chaotic. Soldiers from both kingdoms fought, and Holy Knights from both sides threw attacks at each other. The sounds of shouting and groaning filled the air, with the blasts from the fighting becoming deafening. The Marakians, who were only a dozen Holy Knights and about the same number of guards, were becoming quickly overwhelmed by the force from Liones.
King dodged as an attack flew by, grabbing Elizabeth and pulling her out of the way. He shouted a command and Chastiefol burst into the Guardian form. It swept her up in its arms, and King floated on its shoulder. The Guardian weaved its way through the turmoil, covering Elizabeth from the attacks.
The Grizzly Sin heard the princess shout, and when he looked down, she was struggling against the Guardian's arm holding her, pointing at something. They lumbered around a group of knights locked in combat and Elizabeth scrambled down, running towards a heap of rubble. King shouted at her to stop as he followed.
The princess fell to her knees, pulling a figure up. It was a young man, and Elizabeth wiped blood from his brow. "Prince Lucius!" she shouted. "Are you hurt? Can you speak?"
"You…" he coughed, unable to move. Elizabeth looked up at King. "We have to take him with us."
"Princess, we need to go now." The Guardian swiped its arm through the air, knocking away a blade that headed towards them.
"I'm not leaving him here!" She struggled to pull the prince up. "I'm taking him to the castle." Elizabeth pulled the prince's arm around her neck and tried to lift him, groaning with the effort.
King grumbled and pointed. The Guardian picked up the prince, and they hurried away again. As they entered the city, people were gathered in the streets, watching the battle happening on the other side of the wall. Suddenly, chunks of stone flew as a part of the wall exploded, and the people screamed as they ran for cover.
.o0o.
Howzer was watching the battle from the top of the Southern Tower when the city wall exploded. He gave a yell, turning and running down the steps. He could hear the other Holy Knights, still below in the yard after the failed election meeting, shouting. "Princess Margaret!" he called, barging through a door.
Inside, the princess knelt on the floor, next to Gilthunder. The Holy Knight was propped up against the wall, his head back, eyes closed. His armor had been removed, and a burn that blackened his skin covered the entire left side of his torso. She lifted her head from where she was laying fresh bandages on his injury, but did not turn around. "Princess Margaret," he called. "The king has started his attack. Holy Knights have attacked the Marakian camp, but the battle has moved into the city."
Her hands paused momentarily. "It's the king's command," she said quietly, and returning to wrapping the wound.
"Your Highness," Howzer said, "I cannot order the Holy Knights to go, but you can." When she didn't answer, he shouted, "There are people down there, and they are hurt! Diane could be there… Elizabeth could be there, right now." Margaret froze, sucking in a deep breath.
"We need to go." Gilthunder's voice was strained with pain as he tried to stand.
"Gilthunder, no," Margaret said sharply. "If anyone sees you—"
"I can't let this happen," he said, but she pushed him back when he moved. "Margaret, people will die if we don't stop this."
"You can't go," she insisted. They regarded each other for a long moment, and then Margaret stood and walked briskly from the room. Howzer gave Gilthunder a last glance and followed her.
The princess stepped out into the square, and the Holy Knights gathered there turned and bowed. "Princess, we—" one began, but she held up her hand.
"The king has decided to attack," she announced. "The fight has come to the city. You must go and protect the people. Do not interfere with the king, or the knights he commands. If he wants to fight Marakia, let him do it outside the city. Just—just make sure the people are safe." The knights began to leave in a flash, and Margaret turned to Howzer. Her expression was shockingly cold, and he thought that if she could kill him with a look, he would have been dead. "Find my sister," she said bitingly. "Bring her back here." Without waiting for acknowledgment, she turned on her heel and headed back inside.
Howzer grit his teeth and summoned his strength. He used the winds to transport himself into the city, and when he touched down near the damaged wall, he quickly assessed the area. The other Holy Knights were arriving, directing people towards the castle. He strode forward towards the break in the wall, pulling out his lance. If the king insisted on fighting the Marakians, he would make sure the fight stayed outside the city walls, Howzer decided.
He paused as he heard a familiar female voice and turned his head. He spotted Diane hurrying through the crowds. "Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" she shouted.
"Diane!" he called. She spotted him and rushed forward. "Howzer! I can't find Elizabeth. I don't know where she is!" Diane looked around in panic.
"I'll help you look for her," he said. The streets were nearly cleared of the civilians now that the Holy Knights had arrived, and he was glad to see many were moving to protect the damaged wall with the same idea he had. They headed off together, following the crowd, searching through the sea of faces. "Oh, why aren't I a giant right now?" Diane wailed.
"This way," Howzer said. He stepped down a side street, and was pleased to find it deserted. They jogged together as he said, "This should take us out on the other side of these houses," he said, but stopped short as Diane suddenly halted. "What is it?"
"Ohhh, why now?" she squealed. Diane looked back and forth wildly.
"Diane?" Howzer asked. "What's wrong?"
"It's a summoning spell." She looked at him frantically. "I—I need to go!"
"What?!" Howzer was stunned. "What are you talking about? We have to find the princess!"
"You don't understand," Diane moaned, pulling on her pigtails. "When we became the Seven Deadly Sins, there were certain things we agreed to—oaths that we took—rules we have to follow. When the Captain gives a direct order, we have to follow it, no matter what."
"What does that—"
"When the Captain needed us, he'd have Merlin, or sometimes Gowther, do a summoning spell. It's happening now—the Captain wants us all back at the Boar Hat, now. I have to go!"
"But Diane—"
"Howzer, you have to find Elizabeth. Get her somewhere safe. Please, I'm counting on you!"
He tried to protest, but the Serpent Sin turned and ran back down the street. As she rounded the corner, he yelped in surprise as she suddenly grew back to her giantess size. He saw her brown hair over the tops of the buildings, running quickly towards the south and out of sight.
.o0o.
"There!" Elizabeth pointed at a door to the side. They had reached the front courtyard of the castle, which was eerily deserted. The princess guessed that everyone had taken cover. All of the guards were up on the walls, and the Holy Knights were in the city. They slipped in unnoticed, the prince unconscious and floating with them on the pillow.
Elizabeth led them through another door and into an empty storage room. King directed the pillow to the floor, and he helped the princess prop Lucius up against the wall. He moaned as she assessed his injuries. He was bleeding from a gash on his head, and he had bruises on his neck and arms. She took his hands in hers and closed her eyes. Warmth flowed through her veins, and she wished him to be healed.
The room was quiet for several minutes, until Elizabeth felt the prince stir. She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with a mixture of fear and amazement. "What—what is this?" he gasped.
The princess simply smiled. "Are you feeling better?"
"How did you do this?"
Instead of answering, she stood and faced the Grizzly Sin. "Thank you, Sir King. You saved both of our lives."
King nodded. "The fighting should be over soon. You'll be safe here while I go and look for Diane." He started to go, but Elizabeth called to him to wait. "Sir King, you said that Sir Meliodas did not send you here. Then how did you know about the attack?"
"I didn't," he answered, looking back at her. "Not really. We heard word yesterday that Marakia had tried to invade, and I decided to check on things. Good thing I did." His eyes flickered over to the prince. "Will you be all right?"
Elizabeth nodded, and the Fairy King left. Prince Lucius started asking her questions, but she ignored him and pulled the chain out from around her neck. The coin was still a soft blue, but the pulsing had stopped. If you have any trouble, and need me right away, just press this between your two palms, Meliodas had told her. Then I know you need help, and I'll come.
She bit her lip. Elizabeth had never doubted him before; never had any reason to. She thought of when he was unconscious in Dalmary; when he was trapped in the Goddess Amber; when she gave herself over to Hendrickson. Elizabeth had never felt truly afraid, because a part of her trusted Meliodas completely, knowing that he would do anything to keep her safe, to keep their promise to each other.
But he had not come. It had been hours since she had used the coin, and he had not come to her.
There must be a good reason, she thought to herself, stowing the coin back under her dress. The thought did nothing to ease the twisting in her stomach. Then, another thought that gripped her heart with ice: Nothing would keep him from coming, not if he truly wanted to.
She turned towards the prince, who was trying to get her attention. "Princess Elizabeth," he said slowly. He had climbed to his feet and was watching her with wide eyes. "We should go. If you come with me, I can—"
"No." If she was alone, truly alone, then Elizabeth had only one thing left to do. "I do need to go, but not with you."
"Then where?"
"I'm going to find the king. I'm going to put a stop to all of this, once and for all." Without another word, she opened the door and left.
