The Dark Ages
Chapter 4
"I must say I'm very much surprised to see an actual elf on my lands." King Fugaku commented with a slight amused undertone. "It's not every day one of you walks in our lands and makes such an appearance."
"I apologize for the inconvenience my appearance have caused your kingdom, My Lord." The princess replied calmly.
They were sitting in the king's office, up in the higher levels of the castle. There weren't many people in the spacious room along with the king and princess. Only two guards staying silent and still by the double doors leading out of the office.
Sakura was earlier lead to sit on one of the chairs in front of the huge wooden desk as she was said to wait for the king. So far before this moment she hadn't even had a peek of what the king looked like, but the moment she saw him she couldn't help but wonder did the younger prince get his looks from his mother. The prince looked so much more feminine and handsome compared to this rougher looking male in front of her.
The queen certainly was a sight to see and definitely Prince Sasuke got his looks from his mother. It was truly fascinating to think how two people can create something so similar.
"There is no trouble, young one. If someone decided to attack the elves, then I'm sure that they will attack here, too eventually. It is only fair for everyone that you came here and we've been able to inform the other kingdoms." The king explained and showed a stack of papers on his desk.
"You have already contacted the others, My Lord? I was in understanding that you would rather wait until your scout returns." Sakura asked in surprise.
"Yes, of course I have. And my scout arrive couple of hours ago from Archyl."
"They did?!" This time Sakura sat closer to the edge of her comfortable seat. "I have to know what they saw. Please."
The king waved his fingers at one of the guards standing by the door. Sakura turned around to see the guard peeking behind the office and talking quietly to someone. When she arrived, no one was behind the door except two guards wearing the same outfit that the guards inside the office wore.
Another man finally walked in behind the guard, who took his place on the other side of the doors, as the new-comer walked towards the king. The man was rather pale and thin with average high-class looking clothes.
His head was lowered with respect as he bowed towards the princess and the king.
"Your Highness, My Lady."
"I would like you to meet, Yamanaka Sai. One of my best spies and scouts in the whole world." The king introduced Sai and pointed his hand for the man to take a seat. "He was the one whom was sent to Archyl and he just returned few hours ago."
Sai had a pleasant smile on his face, or at least it seemed to be. However, Sakura got a feeling that there was something far more dark behind it.
Sai turned to face the princess, "Unfortunately, didn't venture too far into your village. The area was swarmed with armed men and it would have been too much of a risk not to return immediately back to Konoha. While there, I didn't see any elves that were alive or even in groups kept captive." The man explained as if it wasn't the most horrible thing in the world.
"Who were the men?" Sakura asked hesitantly.
"So far we have no idea." It was the king who answered as he pulled a piece of cloth from his table. "The insignia is very much unfamiliar to everyone."
It was a battered fabric with a red cloud against a black background.
"Have you seen anything like this before?" The king asked with a lifted brow.
"No, I haven't." Sakura said honestly as she reached for the fabric.
"Not even when you ran away?" He asked again.
Sakura's attention diverted back to the king with a stern expression, "I was woken up by my father from a very deep sleep. I barely even remember the way from my bed chamber to the stalls. My father lead the way for the entire time while a hand-maiden pulled the cloak over my head."
A silence filled the room after Sakura's explanation.
"The last thing I heard my father say to me was that 'They are attacking, you need to get to Konoha'. And, then at one point, I realized that those men were following me."
"You didn't see anyone else then around Archyl?"
"I did not." Sakura pressed. "I have never seen those men before, but I do know that they are not ordinary men."
"And how do you know that?" Fugaku asked and tilted his head.
"I am an elf. We have talents and abilities no human possess and you, My Lord, should be very well aware of that." Sakura was starting to feel frustrated with the king's questions. For her, it seemed like he wasn't believing what she was telling him.
"Are you doubting me?" Sakura asked finally.
Sai was sitting completely silent in his seat staring at the wall with disinterest. He didn't seem to care about the conversation going on around him.
Fugaku, however, seemed more than amused.
"I am a king. I have my responsibilities and duties for my kingdom. I need to protect everything I have with my own life. I am the one responsible for everything that befalls on my lands." The king explained with softness in his voice that surprised the princess. "If I am being honest, and that is what I am, you might very well be a threat.
"I am also very well aware of the elves never having any trouble with us, but as a princess yourself you should be aware of the pressure that protect your own people comes with. It's not easy at all because you never know what might happen in the future."
"I understand very well." And she really did. She might not look threatening, but humans and elves haven't been in any kind of contact for many years. This was a first time that someone like Sakura walked on their lands so freely and was even in the castle. She could very well be a threat.
"But still I highly doubt you're going to assassinate me and try to take over the throne." The king joked and Sakura's lips raised into a smile. "I also promise you that your people will have our help. I will make sure that this situation will be fixed and I'm also sure that some of the other villages agree with me."
"I still must ark, My Lord, but have you contacted Nichral?" Sakura asked with interest.
"Yes, I send another patrol that way. It's much safer that way since we don't know if the enemy has already infiltrated their lands, too."
"Goddess bless you, My Lord. You are a true blessing for me right now."
"I wish to return back to my own land." Sakura said as she sat down on the lounge in her chamber.
"But didn't the king say that Archyl is swarmed with enemies. If they chased you all the way here, they would most definitely come after you again if you show up in there. It's just too dangerous." Tsunade said and sat down opposite the princess.
"My father is there, my people are there, and they are in danger. I am here in safety with food and warmth. My people are suffering!" Sakura explained as she pointed at the tea arrey in front of her.
"It is not proper and not fare for any of my people." She continued hastily.
"But can you do anything for it alone?" Tsunade asked and dipped a cookie into her tea before eating it. "This needs more alcohol." She then muttered to herself.
"Well, no-"
"Exactly!" Tsunade pointed her finger at the princess. "Let's just wait and see. Besides it's better to wait for new from Nichral. If this place seems too foreign for Your Highness than maybe you could relocate there."
"It is a possibility." Sakura muttered and grabbed a cookie.
"Just eat your food and be happy that at least you're safe. I'm sure that is what your father wanted when she made you flee the village." The older woman muttered to herself as she waves her hand for a maid to bring some alcohol.
"Alcohol is very dangerous." The princess suddenly commented and received a devious grin from Tsunade, "And so is living."
"Tsunade likes to live on the edge." A man's voice commented by the door.
"Kakashi! Come in! Come in!"
This is short one. Actually, it's unusually short for me, but I wanted the Kakashi scene to be in the next chapter.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this! If you're interested in my writing process or think that I have completely disappeared go check my profile at least once a week. I usually post there my writing progress and if something's going to stop me from posting my chapters on time.
Thanks for reviewers:
juntaisuke
lil'lovely
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- Jakura