Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or associated characters.
AN: I use Endymion to signify him as the adult thinking and Endy as his younger self. Hope it's not too confusing. ;)
Chapter 6: Walking a Memory
Darkness wrapped comfortably around Endymion. He felt nothing, heard nothing, and saw nothing. Complete emptiness floated all around and through him. At first, he took comfort in the absolute darkness and was calm. The nothingness drawing all emotion from him. Then sudden alarm spread through his consciousness, telling him things were not right.
He struggled against nothing. Anger rose in his chest, burning hotly. His frustration grew as nothing he attempted worked. Over and over again, he fought. Time and time again, he was defeated by default. Nothing could defeat nothing, he laughed at his own wit.
He felt his anger and frustration melt away as he surrendered to the cool kiss of empty thoughts, of just being. Minutes dragged by, hours perhaps. Time had no domain in this place.
Just as he was about to commit himself to become part of the nothingness, a point of colored light could be seen. Neither near nor far, the light got bigger as if coming closer or perhaps growing. Chaotic colors swirling around, making no sense and demanding none. As they got brighter, he closed his eyes as he was accustomed to the blackness and the light was starting to hurt.
"You will do as you're told, that is your role until you are king! Perhaps you will learn a little respect during this task," a familiar voice spoke.
He opened his eyes to his father standing at the main doors of the palace, speaking down the short, stone stairway to him.
"Alone? With whatever you had thrown together in this pack?" he felt himself say.
Recognition blossomed in his mind. He was twelve again and was being sent off by his father to mingle with his subjects for a year.
This feels too rigid to be a dream… Must be my actual memory.
"Of course! To understand our people, you must live like them," the king replied.
Instead of trying to change things like a dream, he relaxed and waited for the memory to play itself out. What happened when he relaxed had his eyebrows raised. Before, he had been observing, seeing and hearing, but nothing else. As he relaxed, it felt as if he slipped into his body. Now he was experiencing the memory with touch, smells, and tastes. He was now physically reliving the past.
"Seems more like an excuse so you can run around the castle with your whores," his twelve year old self said.
What a little prick I was. Endymion thought, aghast at his behavior.
"Insolent little… Go now! Stop delaying," the king roared.
His right hand rose and made a circle with his thumb and forefinger. A rude gesture if he ever saw one. He had just effectively called his father an asshole. Then he spun around and walked out the gates before the king could reply. He heard angry sputtering from the king, but was too far away too quickly for the man to retort.
He didn't remember being that rude, but as he was just riding along, he took it to be true. He saw his father in a new light, how hard it must have been for the king to suffer him for so long.
Dark thoughts boiled in his young mind as he trudged down Duke's Row. His younger self's resentment of his father's attitude to women, especially after mother died eight years before, weighed heavily on his mind. He recognized his anger towards the king, what surprised him was that his young mind blamed his father for the death of his mother. He didn't remember blaming anybody for her death.
The expansive manors on each side of the road were another source of anger for him. Unearned wealth pass on from generation to generation was a hard truth he didn't care to swallow. While he was only twelve, he thought that he acquitted himself nicely with all the studying and swordplay he did. There were only so many things a prince can do to earn his keep, the main one being to train to become king. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of being out of the castle for a year. He could prove his worth and not be viewed as a pasty, whinny flop of a noble.
As he walked down the avenue, he spied a girl walking along one of the manor fences, holding an umbrella against the harsh heat of the day. As he approached, he could make out her features. A lovely girl with raven hair, like his, flowing down her back to her legs. Violet eyes peered back at him from lowered lashes. Her cute face lit up when she saw him.
"Prince Endymion! How nice it is to see you," her voice carried genuine warmth.
"Ah, Rei, right? Duke Hansen's daughter. It's nice to see you as well," he replied. She was one of the few nobles he could stand, all the rest were sycophants vying for position and favors. He hadn't seen her in a couple years. While they were the same age, she was showing more signs of maturing then he. Her chest had started to grow and now she had a few inches on him.
"Are you going somewhere, my Prince?" she inquired, eyeing the pack he had slung over his shoulder.
"Indeed. I have overstayed my welcome at the palace," he answered, grinning.
"Whatever do you mean? You live in the palace, how would you… um," she asked, with confusion written all over her face.
"I called one of my father's… courtesans a vile name this morning. He then decided that seeing part of the world would be good for me. Told me not to come back for a year. Tragic, I know. But, tis life for someone as honest as I," his grin only got wider as he spoke.
She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "You do tend to say whatever is on your mind, my lord. Where are you heading? If you don't mind my asking, that is."
"I really don't have a plan, it was all a last moment idea. Perhaps west. Where ever I can find work," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"That doesn't seem like very much fun. Sounds like just getting lost to me," she said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"I could only wish. Maps have been drilled into my head since I was five. I don't think getting lost or having fun is going to be part of my journey," he said, a little dejectedly.
"I'm sorry that you're in such a predicament, but if I go any further, I will cause my father to worry," she said, stopping.
"Well, then. I shall see you around this time next year," he said while grabbing her hand and bowing over it. He gave it a light kiss before letting it go. She just stood there, like she had something more to say. A moment later, she leaned in and gave his cheek a kiss then scurried off.
Endy stood there a moment, considering her. He was being polite with his kiss on her hand, but her kiss seemed to mean something. Girls are silly, he decided. With a heavy sigh, he hiked up his pack and started off again.
***
A few days out from Tywn found Endy in a slightly un-reputable inn. When he first came across the inn, he didn't want to go in for the simple fact that he had no money. Unfortunately, the rations in his pack had only lasted until the day before. The aroma of roasted lamb had his stomach pulling him through the door before he knew what was happening.
"Welcome to the Barmaid's Rump, what can… What do ya want boy?" a burly man in a slightly dirty apron directed at him when he passed through the door. The man was wide, but not from fat by the looks of him. He had no hair on his head but a trimmed beard and mustache adorned his face. Hard black eyes stared at him, awaiting an answer.
"Ah, good sir. I would like to inquire about an employment opportunity for tonight in exchange for a meal, and perchance a place to sleep," he proposed.
"And what makes ya think coming in here with that snooty attitude, acting like ya own the damn kingdom will get ya? A kick in the arse, if ya ask me. Get off with ya!" the man Endy took as the innkeeper waved a hand at him, then turned away. An obvious dismissal.
"Kind sir! I assure you, I was only trying to be polite," Endy offered in rebuttal.
The innkeeper turned back towards him as Endy approached the bar. The man ran an appraising eye over him before speaking again. "Aye, perhaps in a floppy noblemen's house ya might. Not here, though. Talkin' like that, here abouts, might get ya mugged and beaten. What's ya name, boy?"
"Endy, sir," he replied.
"Ahhh, cut that crap out. Boy, if ya want a meal, ya'll stop with yer proper tongue! What skill have ya to offer me, son? And don't be callin' me sir again. Name's Broean," Broean said with some fake agitation, Endy noted.
"Skill wise, I have only have some sword play and knowledge. But I'm sure I can accomplish whatever you need me to do, Broean. And I'd like it if you… ya don't call me boy again. My name is Endy," he shot back.
"Endy, huh? Like Endymion, our little prince?" Broean eyed him suspiciously.
"Not likely. Just Endy. I grew up in," he thought rapidly of any village west of where he was, "Gearhart. My fa… Pa was training me to be a fake noble. Hence my speech and skills. Thought I'd make him some money, but he sure got what's coming to him now that I've bailed on him," Endy forced a evil chuckle.
"Aye? And what's to keep yer pa from coming here and causing a ruckus? Damage my business?" Broean asked.
"Nothing but the fact he doesn't know where I went. Relax, Broean. Nothing bad will happen, and if it does, I'll work off the damages," he told him.
"Aye, alright then. I haven't much in the way of work, mind ya. Got a cook and several barmaids. Hmmm. Know yer numbers, lad?" Broean put his hand to his chin as he thought.
"Yes, I mean, Aye! Very well, in fact," he said.
"Mayhap ya look at my books and figure out my mess I made. Let me see ya work and if it's good enough, ya get a meal and a place by the fire tonight," Broean offered.
"Done. I don't have a problem doing that at all," he wore a smirk as the offer was made. Numbers were quite easy for him.
"Alright, go park yer arse over there," Broean pointed to a small alcove that held a round table. If Endy didn't know any better, he'd think that it was Broean's private table for breaks and book work.
He nodded to the burly man and walked over to the indicated table. He threw his pack underneath and settled comfortably onto the padded bench. Nothing like the palace, but after a few days of roughing it, he'd take what luxuries he could. Looking around the main room, he reconsidered his initial appraisal of the place. Not seedy at all, just the outside was left wanting.
Several long tables were set up close to the big fireplace, while smaller round ones were by the bar. Pretty barmaids were weaving in and out of tables, balancing plates of food and mugs of ale. The patronage consisted mostly of farmers, but a few guards were enjoying themselves sitting around a smaller table laughing and drinking. A few moments later saw them paying for their drinks and leaving. Endy let out a sigh of relief. He didn't know if they would recognize him or not. He needed to avoid a scene here, or it would set the tempo for his whole journey.
Broean came over to the alcove and dumped a thick brown work book right in front of him. A inkwell and pen followed.
"Now don't go writing in the book right away, there's an extra piece of paper in there. Do yer work on that and in a while I'll come by and see it," Broean said. He left without anymore instructions, leaving Endy to his own devices. He sighed, took the pen, filled it from the inkwell ad went to work.
***
After figuring out Broean's messy handwriting, and decoding his little system, Endy was able to proceed fairly quickly through the workbook. He paused for a bit while Broean looked over his work, then was told to stop wasting time writing on the extra paper and finish in the actual book. His writing was crisp and clean, easily understood, and with all his knowledge of the tax laws, he was saving Borean a large sum of gold. He knew that his meal and a place to sleep tonight were guaranteed.
A commotion caught his attention when he had only a couple pages left to do. A lanky minor noble, by the looks of him, was harassing the prettiest barmaid. Grabbing her bottom and pulling her back by her dress when she tried to get away. Several of the farmers had scooted back, not wanting to be part of the incident or help.
Broean had notice what was happening and was making his way around the bar to settle things. Another cocksure floppy noble was at the end and raised a dagger to Broean's throat when he came around the bend.
"Let him have his fun and no one will get hurt," the man with the dagger said.
"Ya let me go, so I can go thump ya friend over there. Then I can come back and thump ya too!" Broean growled at him. The dagger being pressed harder against his throat was the only answer he got.
Endy muttered a curse while scooting around the table. Hopping down to the floor, he walked causally over to the idiot harassing the barmaid, still cursing. "Fuckin' dumbass, why here? Why now? Asshole, shit for brains…"
"Endy, no!" Broean threw a warning after him.
The idiot looked up right in time to receive a fist to the side of his jaw. The barmaid took the opportunity to escaped his grasp as his upper torso whipped back from the blow. He came back up and immediately started to draw his blade in anger.
"Hey, now. Do you think your tough enough to cut up an unarmed boy? Got the guts?" Endy taunted him. He knew how nobles loved their honor. It's what they thought that makes them better than the peasant class. Endy had effectively challenged him, and by calling him out, had demanded he honor it on gentlemen's terms.
"Damn it!" the idiot grunted, slamming his half unsheathed blade back home. "Erick, lend the brat your blade, I'll kill him and we can go find our fun elsewhere."
"You sure, Kyle? We don't want any trouble…" Erick said. So, Endy thought, he's the brains in this outfit.
"Just do it!" the idiot, now known as Kyle said.
Erick started to undo his belt, but Endy waved at him to stop. "All I require is your blade. I'm not paying you to get undressed."
Some of the farmers chuckled at the joke, but most were nervous about seeing a young boy get killed by a unmannered nobleman. Endy walked over to Erick to retrieve the blade.
"Boy! If ya damage anything, it will come out of yer pay," Broean cursed at him.
Endy grabbed the blade from Erick, then bowed sarcastically towards Broean. "Thanks for having such faith in me!"
Heading back to the Idiot, he noticed that the farmers had pushed back one of the long tables. There had been about a pace between the tables, which had been enough space for him, but the Idiot had different ideas. Now there was about three paces of space available.
Endy took a spot about three paces away from the Idiot, making fun of him in his own way. The Idiot drew his blade and dropped into an attack stance. Endy put himself into a relaxed stance, one he could use to slip into any position he needed without giving any signs of his skill away.
The Idiot gave an evil laugh. Endy pretended to shake.
"Oh, please end it quickly. I'm almost about to pee my pants," Endy said in a mock scared voice.
What an arrogant little ass, Endymion thought about himself.
The Idiot paused a moment, clearly confused about the statement made by Endy, then charged with an over the head swing. Endy had already noted that it would turn into a side swing by the shifting in the Idiot's torso and shoulders. So he waited till the last second, letting the Idiot think his ploy had worked, then dodged back just as the tip of the blade whistled through where Endy's neck had been. With all the force he could muster, Endy hit the back swing of the Idiots blade causing it to fly out of his hands and clatter against a table leg.
The Idiot tried to scramble towards the fallen blade, but Endy smacked the back of his head with the flat of his sword.
"Ow!" the Idiot gabbed the back of his head and turned towards Endy. When he was fully facing him, Endy smacked the side of his face the same as he did to the back of his head. His face was whipped one way and when he faced Endy again, he found the tip of the bladed leveled at his eyes.
"Do you yield?" Endy inquired. He studied his handiwork on the Idiot's cheek. A bright red mark in the shape of the blade was appearing, along with small beads of blood. Opps, he thought, I cut him a little. Ah well.
The Idiot spat at Endy, some landing on his trousers. A quick flip of his wrist and forearm brought the flat of the blade onto the Idiot's other side of his face. This one turned out better, as there was no blood this time.
True artwork, if I do say so myself, Endy thought.
"Do you yield, or shall I attempt to carve my name into your forehead?" Endy demanded.
The Idiot had fire behind his eyes, but seeing no way out of the situation, he gave a weak nod.
"Be gone, then. Don't harass anyone else or I'll find you and make your life miserable," he threatened the Idiot.
Erick came over to retrieve his sword and collect his friend, Kyle the Idiot. As Erick led his friend out of the inn, his pride damaged more than anything else, activity with the tap room return to normal.
Broean was shaking his head in disbelieve as Endy headed back to the little alcove. As he was settling in to finish the bookwork, Broean came by with a plate laden with steamy potatoes, vegetables, and meat.
"Aye, lad. Good work with my books. I got a room for ya and Beth made ya this plate. She'll be by to thank ya personally," Broean as he sat the plate to the side.
Endy finished his last ministrations to Broean's workbook, then pushed the final product over to him. Broean, for his part, took a seat and started leafing through it.
"That wasn't any peasant training there. Who are ya?" Broean asked causally, not looking up from his book.
"I'd rather not say. How about you believe what I said before and you won't have to worry about anything," Endy offered.
"Aye, my Lord. I can do that. But I'll keep half yer pay for my silence," Broean winked at him while tossing a small pouch on the table. The click of coins could be heard as it landed. "For yer work on the book and for Beth." Endy stared at it for a moment before sliding the pouch off the table and securing it to his belt.
As Broean left the table with his book under his arm, Endy dug into his plate of delicious smelling food. The potatoes were mashed with lots of butter, seemingly melting in his mouth. The vegetables had a tangy spice and were slightly crunchy in the middle. The meat was roasted lamb, lightly charred on the outside, while being juicy and red on the inside. He had just finished tasting all three parts of his meal when he realized that he didn't have a drink.
As if magically summoned by his thought, the pretty barmaid he had saved from harassment, walked up to his table carrying a glass of red liquid. She placed it before him and scooted in next to him.
"Broean opened up his best bottle of wine for you. Said the first one is free, but you'll have to pay if you want more," she said confidentially. Obviously, by her sly delivery, he could have all the wine he wanted at no charge. Broean seemed to have a tough exterior, but a soft spot for good people that helped him.
"Thank you. You must be Beth?" he asked.
"Yes, your Highness," she replied. Endy nearly spit out the wine he just drank. A passing quality, he thought to himself as he collected his equilibrium.
Must be the best Broean can afford, Endy thought.
"You know?" he said, wide eyed.
"Yes, my Lord. I saw you once when you traveled with your father, the King the other year," she said demurely.
"Geez. Alright, well. Damn! Look, I'd rather people not find out I'm a prince right now. I'm on a assignment to observe the kingdom for a while, so no more of this 'Highness' business, okay?" he waited for her nod before continuing. "Does anyone else know?"
"I think Broean suspects, but there are mostly farmers here who don't get to see the royal family. That floppy nobleman didn't recognize you, or he wouldn't have tried to fight with you," she gave a giggle.
"I'm sorry that happened. Not all nobles are like that, you know. I'm glad I was here to stop anything else from happening," he confided to her.
"Oh, no! Don't apologize for that creep! Thank you so much for helping me, if you were a bit older I might show my appreciation in another way. Actually, I'm still thinking about," her hand went under the table and squeezed his thigh.
Endy jumped a little. Red infused his cheeks as he looked around for a distraction. He knew how to handle any number of situations, but for this, he was drawing a blank. "I.. ah… well," he stuttered, not able to think of anything while unease flowed through him.
"It's okay, my Prince. Oh! I mean Endy, right? That's what you told Broean your name was?" she asked, removing her hand.
"Yeah, for now. I might change it. It might give me away, being part of my full name," he replied, gathering his composure now that her hand wasn't on his leg anymore. Slowly placing his glass down, he returned his attention back to his meal. Not able to eat at the moment due to his stomach still in a knot from Beth's attention, he just pushed some vegetables around the plate.
"Good idea. Maybe James? That's my brother's name, but I'm sure he won't mind if you use it," she said with a sly wink.
He grunted in affirmation, pushing a hand through his hair as if to push all the recent events away.
"I can show you to your room when you're ready," she drawled, while taking her leave. A slight nod from him and Beth whisked away, back to her work. A few moments later, after Beth had left, his stomach loosened enough for him to devour the rest of his meal.
AN2: Well, that didn't solve anything! Thought I'd include a chapter to look into Endy's past and shed light on his motives. Next chapter will have some answers.