Special thanks:elspethie, ItalianFanGirl, EsmeTyler, luckless-is-me, TheRedLamp, kazue, Isis2990, Lovegranted
To all Readers: Okay, so in this story I skip from the past to the present a lot. I'm telling back story and telling the story all in one. For the most part, the majority of about the first ten chapters or so will be focused on the past, and the rise of these two. After that is when I will start switching and focusing more and more on the present. Also, I'm not immediately picking up where I left off so keep the last chapters end in mind and know that I won't be picking up from the end until the third scene or so. But now I'm done with me little chatter so please read on and enjoy!
Curse of Fayte
Chapter Four
Picking Sides
2/14/2011 10:43 PM
The wind tousled at the thick black strands as he stood there at his balcony ledge and surveyed the forest sprawled before him. The thick violet and black robes hung from his shoulders as he leaned forward over the banister. His eyes were down as they moved over the black marble he'd forged his spiraled tower out of, which now gleamed in the light of the moon. The pure light shot off the unnatural surface in an array of beautiful variations of greens and purples. His eyes moved to directly beneath him as he looked over the miles of trees. He'd chosen this forest for several reasons; the most important had been the quiet, and it was so seamlessly quiet here. A forest inhabited mostly by magical folk had turned out to be his best idea thus far. No one bothered him here.
He closed his eyes as he leaned his chin on his palm. His great staff easily slid into the crevasse between his one folded arm and his body. Geass was closed, which left the great eye-shaped crystal at the top of the dark wood staff dormant, with all color drained and not a bare hint of the red bird within its depths. The cool night air brushed over his skin like a caress. His eyes wandered their way ever downward still. There was nothing like this tower anywhere in the world. The grand black courtyard attested to that.
"You know, if you would stop pinning over him all the time, we might actually get some progress made." A familiar feminine voice said from behind him.
Lelouch shot a look of fire and brimstone over his shoulder. "I don't pine." He made the proclamation with the upmost resolve.
C.c. gave a coy smile. "Well then, why are you out here?"
"Aaaghh! Lancelot!" the two looked back to where Lelouch's eyes had previously been.
At the foot of the tall, black tower, just outside of the marble stoned courtyard, was the small camp erected complete with a forty foot tall white dragon and as a bonus a just under five feet ten inches, curly haired, knight who leered over at the same said dragon. Both of which returned once a month, every month, to camp usually about a night or two in the very same spot every time. Before them was a small fire, for which the dragon had a long, white, guilty claws over. Lelouch craned his neck a bit to get a better understanding of the situation. It took a moment before he realized that a small pan, which looked like at one time held dinner, had been tipped over by Lancelot's long clawed appendage and the hot contents had consequently pilled on to Suzaku's lap.
"I told you, I'd give you some the second it was done." Suzaku growled. The long white ears atop Lancelot's head flattened as he gave a rumbling whimper of apology. Suzaku shook his head, irate, as he stalked over to the saddle bags.
Lelouch gave a sigh as he watched the scene. "Why does he keep coming back?"
C.c. gave a snort before she chose to answer. "Because you always spend your time pining over him once a month and he knows it! You give him too much hope, so he always returns. "
"For the second time, I do not pine!" Lelouch hit back as he moodily kept his face forward. "And all I ever tell him to do is leave. How is that really encouraging him?"
"You do this every New Moon, just as he returns every New Moon and you know it!" C.c. said like Lelouch should know it was common knowledge that that act alone counted a hefty encouragement.
Lelouch only gave a mumbled grunt of disagreement. Besides, his eyes had already traveled back to the scene on the ground. Suzaku had quickly pulled on a fresh pair of pants and then went to pull his boots back on.
"Now we either go find more food, or go hungry." The Knight grumbled to his mount.
The deep blue of Lancelot's eyes dimmed as he, his ears still low, gave out a hollow keening sound. The beast quickly stood, though not fully, and started off into the forest. The crouched dragon quickly disappeared in a brisk trot. Suzaku stood and shook his head before he went to tend to the mess still splattered around the fire.
Lelouch gave a frown. "He used to be so much more carefree." He paused for a moment and turned about a quarter of an inch to make it clear he was speaking to C.c. "The Suzaku I used to know would probably have laughed at such trifle things—he did laugh at such trifle things. Then it seemed it was impossible to stir his mood."
"Hhn." C.c. let out the sharp noise, but a moment later when she spoke her voice was softer. "The Suzaku you knew was the stable boy and sometimes guard, not the Knight of Seven."
Lelouch hadn't seemed to notice her last comment though as he just leaned ever farther over the banister and watched down below. "He had such a nice laugh then." Lelouch lamented.
"You're pining again." C.c. took the liberty of informing him.
Lelouch didn't answer. He only gazed down to watch the man as he pulled his disbanded camp back into some semblance of order. A long and low sigh of longing escaped Lelouch's mouth, for just a short moment, before he abruptly straightened away from the banister railing. The Geass staff quickly came up to press firmly into stone as Lelouch spun away from the night sky.
"It doesn't matter anymore. He sided with them." Anger seeped through the voice for just a moment as he stalked off to the doorway. He stopped just short of the frame. "He chose to be with that corruption." But the next whisper was so much, more small. It had a crack to it like the words themselves were broken English. "He was always a part of their world. I was never more than a time killer to him. I hate him along with all the rest. " And with that he lifted his staff high and continued inside the walls of his great and precociously high tower and more than likely up to his room.
C.c. didn't speak as she watched the boy she'd known from birth leave. She had often wondered if given the chance now if she would have stopped V.v. from giving his curse? Lelouch had become important to her, so very important, and to see him always stumbling over such things as this was worrisome. And worrying was something C.c. always made a point to avoid. She bowed her head, as her mind was lost in thought. Without that curse a lot of things wouldn't have happened. She glanced around at the black marble at her feet. They would probably still be back at High Castle if she had just been the one to give Lelouch his gift.
The sound of the trees rustling drew C.c.'s attention. She stepped forward to peer over the banister.
Below, Lancelot had immerged victorious from the woods. He pranced forward a happy grin on his full mouth. Suzaku stood curious as he watched the beast come forward with puffed out cheeks and a triumphant grin. Lancelot firmly placed himself before his knight head held high and chest puffed out before he spat out his new idea for dinner at Suzaku's feet.
Three rather dazed and confused gnomes all lay there as they moaned and groaned on the ground. Wet and slimy with Lancelot's saliva one of the gnomes sat up and looked up all five feet and ten inches of Suzaku before he let out a hollered scream of terror and bolted to his feet. Lancelot acted immediately as he snarled down at the gnome and stopped him with his claws. The second, this time a girl sat up groggily to see the snarling hissing dragon to let out her own, much more feminine, scream and then proceeded to faint. Lancelot shot her a curious glance before he turned back to the one still trying to runaway. He pointed a roar at the half foot tall man and gave him a very 'get in the pot!' look before the dragon peered up to Suzaku for conformation.
Suzaku had stumbled back to the log he used as a chair. His shoulders shook up and down quickly and his hand was clamped over his mouth. C.c. leaned forward, just as Lancelot did also, both not sure on what sort of thing Suzaku was up to.
Then the hand came away and Suzaku let out a boisterous laugh as by now all three gnomes were up. They scampered around while their arms swung wildly in the air and their legs flung out with every step, trying desperately to escape the giant white dragon, that with just the same amount of vigor, tried to keep them all captive. The whole scene looked like a cat trying to keep three, rather stupid, mice in a military line up long enough for the commanding officer to decide if they were going to be the new menu or not.
C.c. smiled then. Lelouch had been right, and as much as she hated to admit it, Suzaku did have a very nice laugh.
Massive, that was the first word that came to Suzaku's mind. It was utterly massive! He stood at the head of what looked like a massive nesting barn for dragons. It towered high over his head and was longer than he could even guess at. As wide as several barns in a row, the sides were lined with large door ways to what Suzaku could only guess was more space for more nesting. It was all made of stone with straw strew around mostly in piles, but here in there gathered in a bowl shape to form a single nests dotting the place. The roof, that seemed almost a mile above him, was steeply pitched and at either side of the structure, at the gables, was a large round rimmed opening, from which the dragons freely came and left. The dragons there all ranged from large to very small. Some looked to be hatchlings and others looked to be older adults.
"Wow…" Suzaku let hang from his lips as his eyes worked tediously to take in the sight he was presented with.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Cecile said from beside him.
"Yes, very!" Suzaku said as a bright smile broke on his lips.
"It's ironic to think this used to be a Cathedral." Lloyd drawled as he ambled his way up on Suzaku's other side. "Even more ironic, is the fact that we still refer to it as the Cathedral."
Suzaku wasn't sure what Lloyd had tried to hint at but he shrugged it off as he looked back to the long building.
"So is this where Lancelot nests?" Suzaku asked. He wasn't disinterested in Lloyds riddles; he was simply more interested in what he'd just previously gotten himself into.
"No." Lloyd said as she started down the stone steps and into the Cathedral. Cecile followed close behind.
Suzaku stopped gawking long enough to realize he was getting left to shuffle his own way down the three stairs and after his—new employers?
"This is where we house the Sutherlands and Glasgows, mostly." Suzaku could see a smile of pride stretch on the older man's face. "Just outside in the lakes are the Portmans. Those are all the, well for a lack of a better, term mass produced breeds."
Suzaku looked up sharply at that. "So is Lancelot a—" he looked around him at the darkly colored dragons all watch them pass. "Sutherland or Glasgow?" He noticed now that all the dragons with in the room were either a darker shade of blue or black. All of them looked to have the same brutish body type and squared off head with long angular shaped horns at the peak of their skulls.
"hahaha!" Lloyd let out the hysterical laugh. "Lancelot is neither of those!" he went on as she strode with confidence, and led them down the long cathedral. "Besides I've already told you, Lancelot is not housed here."
"So," Suzaku started. "What is Lancelot's breed?"
"He's the new generation. He simply doesn't have one." Lloyd drawled as if it was perfectly obvious.
"Oh." Suzaku breathed as he followed the two trainers. "So what Breed was the last dragon I met, Galahad?"
It was Cecile this time to answer his question. "Galahad is a custom Knightmare. He's one of the few reserved for the Knights of the Rounds."
Suzaku looked up sharply, because suddenly it all clicked together. Galahad didn't belong to a specific breed and Lancelot didn't belong to a breed. But breed sounded important and only those of higher station received dragons that weren't of a specific breed.
"Lancelot was meant to go to a Knight of the Round, wasn't he?"
Cecile looked away with a flush across her face.
Lloyd on the other hand turned with a wide unreadable smile that stretched across his face. "Of Course he was, why else would we spend so much money on one single piece of stock?"
Suzaku gave a single solemn nod before he looked to the floor. That was a lot to take in and it all meant a lot was meant out of Suzaku. He pursed his lips. Lloyd was looking at him like that. Just like he was looking at the dragon, like he was a piece of stock, an investment, and nothing else. It was certainly a change from the regular treatment of racism, but it wasn't exactly a huge step up the ladder. That meant, just as Suzaku always was, he'd have to prove himself above and beyond.
They reached the other double doors at the end of the long Cathedral and Lloyd wasted little time in throwing open the doors to the courtyard Suzaku recognized. At one end was the tall cylinder shaped building Suzaku knew as Lloyd's studio and lab. Off to the south was the road that led back to Pen Dragon and more specifically landed right next to the entrance gates to High Castle. Suzaku smiled down at the view of the white city before he noticed Cecile touch on his shoulder.
He snapped back to see Lloyd was already half way across the court yard. Surrounding the courtyard was split off roads all lined with barns to bigger sized buildings, which Suzaku now knew as nests for dragons. Each had a door on the ground level for humans, but they all also had different sized holes for the dragons. Some consisted of half the roof while others were only about the size of a double doorway. It amazed Suzaku that Lloyd knew exactly where he was going as he weaved his way through the maze of the alleys and around and down to finally land them in front of a large barn—this one really did look like a barn. Suzaku stopped as Lloyd started to flip through keys. Green eyes were glues up in a squint as he watched as two or three servants were boarding up the hole that was in the roof. He stepped closer and rose his had to block out the sun as he watched.
Finally the curiosity of what they were doing broke down his resolve and he turned to Cecile. "Hey what are they—"
"You'll see! Now, come along!" Lloyd said—giddy. Suzaku stopped. He'd really said it like he was overjoyed and eager and excited and just—giddy. Suzaku wasn't sure what exactly he had gotten himself into, but he was very sure he did not like the sound of giddy.
But Suzaku didn't have much time to ponder on it as Lloyd jammed the key in the padlock one moment and had it off and was throwing open the double doors a fast few seconds later. And that is when Suzaku froze.
"Who are you?" Lelouch demanded as he quickly drew on what little knowledge of a defensive position as he could. He didn't have much to draw on—and now he'd wished he'd paid more attention to the arms master when he was smaller and required to take fencing lessons.
The broad man before him took a step forward from under the enclave. "I should be asking you the same thing, though I think I probably already know the answer." The soldier answered. "But I also don't really care. What I want to know is where is the Kururugi boy?"
Lelouch felt a tic start at the side of his eyes. The man was disrespectful and not the clumsy disrespectful of Suzaku—no, this was the deliberate kind.
"What are you doing here?" Lelouch decided to ask as answer. His head was high and his voice the low growl it worked into under pressure. "Why are you here?" the questions could have poured endlessly from his mouth like a spring, but Lelouch held back the tide and clamped his proud jaw shut to wait for an answer.
"A better answer, my lord, would be an answer to my question." The man said still in a rather bored tone. "You mentioned the name Suzaku Kururugi, where is he and who is he to you?"
Lelouch felt his brow lower far enough to cause a wrinkle at his nose. This was no way to be treating a prince after all. But he still had to think of how to answer the man, of how to get himself out of this situation, how to figure out what Suzaku had to do with all of this, and most importantly how to stay alive while doing all of those things.
"I just met the boy this morning. He's my servant. He just arrived here and I know no more than that. " Lelouch ended the avenue quickly. If the man wanted Suzaku he clearly didn't want Lelouch and if Lelouch wasn't wanted he would have an easier time escaping. "Now, I'll ask you one more time, who are you? I demand to know!"
The man simply laughed as he leaned on the support beam of the overhang. He crossed his arms over the red and white breastplate.
Lelouch's eyes skirted around the courtyard. He didn't like the look of this as he took in stock of the situation. Everyone was gone—what did that mean? The obvious answer was that they were simply somewhere else. Where? Now th—
He froze, violet eyes still circling and examining the room to come to the same abrupt halt. He wasn't he alone with this man at all. There was smoke…It was a small trickle of smoke that came from the stone hovel that half-orge used as a smith shop.
That only left one option open—
"Hey Mizaki!" a much smaller soldier, an eleven also, stumbled out of the small hovel. He wore the same red and white armor as all the rest and behind him Lelouch could see the peeking eyes of a couple servants.
Violet eyes went wide as the perfect timing of the newcomer clicked it all together in Lelouch's head. This wasn't just about disrespecting him or anatomization—
This was a hostage situation.
Lelouch stumbled back immediately. His mind floundered as the possibility and chances all scampered though the open plan's of his conscious. It wasn't as organized or methodical as it should have been—as it always had been. It was spermatic and fragmented. There was no reason to it and—it—he hated it! He hated that he was helpless! He hated that at that moment all he wanted was for Suzaku to be the one standing in front of him with a sword and hand tentatively placed behind him to keep Lelouch within protective means. He hated that he was here at that exact moment. But most of all he hated the man in front of him.
That louse of a soldier just stood there—before a divine righted pureblooded prince no less!—acting as if this was nothing more than a trifle matter. How dare he act with such insolence before one such as him, Lelouch vi Britannia the Eleventh Prince to the Holy Britannian Empire, with all his airs of a man at something no more important than a tavern. Lelouch reeled his head back a look of disgust on his face as the man finally acknowledged his behavior, and stepped forward on to the stones of the courtyard.
"Now, young prince, what are you doing out here with such an important event taking place inside?" The man asked.
Calculation was the only real talent Lelouch knew he had been born with and with the help of C.c. had been amplified to its fullest potential. And at this moment, when every other skill he possessed from fencing to script was useless, he knew that his talent for processing and running the numbers was the only talent he had in his arsenal that really mattered. So that is what he did. The soldier wasn't particularly tall, but then again no eleven was. He was broad though. The red and white of the former and dysfunctional nation bore witness that if nothing else this was not of Britannian origin. His stance was wide and ready. He'd tensed in the last few moments—but his words… several things could be gleaned. 1. The man knew he was a prince meaning he knew that he would be there and that they were waiting specifically for him. 2. He knew that Lelouch was alone meaning he knew he took his rides as such. 3. He wanted him inside—possibly a trap.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. But then again the man knew that Lelouch was defenseless so why let him just leave? If this was just a hostage situation he would have already been taken.
"Why?" Lelouch asked jutting his chin out so he could look down that long imperial nose.
"Just wondering with all the renegotiations going on why you're here." The soldier gave a shrug.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes again. He'd never spent a great amount of time with his father, but he knew there was something his father never did and that was to negotiate—with anyone let alone a ramshackle group of numbers. Never the less he shot a look at the doors to the castle. There was something going on in there. Although, the question of whether or not it was a trap still nagged at him.
But if it was a trap—his mother and more importantly Nunnally was in there. He gave one last look to the soldier before he let the reins fall and took long strides towards the castle. Trap or not he'd have to think his way through it all once in there, otherwise he'd never get to Nunnally. And really getting to Nunnally was what mattered.
"Isn't he beautiful?" Lloyd exclaimed as if the huge, chained, gnashing beast before the three was his sun-shining little joy in life.
Suzaku wasn't sure he felt the same.
Lancelot was huge. Not as big as Galahad had been, but he was certainly big enough to do a lot more damage than Suzaku would really like to be inflicted upon himself. He had a thick rough cut iron collar around his neck and shackles on each of his long lithe legs. All of which, were leading down to the ground where they looked to be slacked and bolted deep into the dirt. There were also chains around the torso binding the pearly wings closed against his back. The long tail was the only thing loose and the only thing that a group of men were trying to get under control.
He leaned over to Cecile to whisper softly. "Why is he chained to the ground?"
"Hehheheh!" Cecile gave a nervous laugh. "Well, you see Lancelot isn't quite like the other dragons."
"Yeah…" Suzaku said. For the past hour and a half he'd been told over and over again how much Lancelot was not the typical dragon. Suzaku had never met a dragon before today, so the thought of having a typical one compared to an atypical was a little daunting let alone implausible. The biggest amount of exposure to a dragon had been in Gad and that had been a flyby of a wild dragon. For days after all the inhabitants sent out parties to make sure the dragon hadn't set up a nesting site. Of course, they had never found one and Suzaku hadn't seen a dragon again until—all of this.
"Well, come on boy lets hop to it!" Lloyd exclaimed as he turned about to see him and Cecile, or more specifically Cecile in mid-step on her way behind Suzaku in hopes she wouldn't be found. Lloyd opened his mouth to continue, but was drowned out as a deafening roar filled the space from the white beast before them. His tails swung wildly and caught one of the men in the chest. The man was flung across the enclosure to slam into the far wall.
Cecile quickly took another step behind Suzaku. Suzaku looked back at her. She gave a nervous smile. "Just a precaution."
Suzaku wanted to know who he was supposed to hide behind. Lloyd wouldn't be of much help—he was a stark raving mad man!
"Come on! Hihoho! It's off to work you go Suzaku!" the very same stark raving mad man encouraged.
Suzaku looked at him a bit weary.
"All I really want you to do is see how close you can get before he lashes out at you." Lloyd explained.
"Lloyd!" Cecile scolded. "That could get him killed."
"Of Course it could!" Lloyd said with a bright if not devious smile. "That's in the job description!" behind him another man was thrown into the wall and with greater force.
Suzaku looked forward to the great creature. "This is ludicrous..." he whispered to himself.
"And one day you will look back think the very same think except while thinking it you will wonder why did you ever hesitate?" Lloyd said as he took another step closer. "I mean really, do you want to be left wondering for the rest of your life why you passed up the chance to become a knight, later possibly nobility, and more importantly to know a dragon?"
Suzaku looked at him. The man truly was mad, but at the same time, for at least this one instance, he was right. So facing forward again Suzaku pulled in a long breath before he took his first step forward…
The dragon instantly snapped his extensive triangular shaped head at the sound of Suzaku s boots against the dirt. The struggle over his tail was immediately dropped as deep blue orbs slitted and focused on the man in front of him. With a flick of the same tail, he sent all the men with in that area to the ground, like one would flick away a fly. He drug the chains across the ground to take a step forward.
Suzaku stopped. His eyes locked on Lancelot's as the beast froze himself. The dragon cocked his head and let out a huffed breath. Suzaku pushed another step forward and the dragon pushed his neck forward as well. Suzaku tried to concentrate on his breath as the same deep blue continually bore into him. They were a shade Suzaku had never seen in a human before. They were deep oceanic color around the rim but for directly around the rim they turned paler and far brighter. Suzaku gave a smile, then again he'd been told that his own eyes weren't human either. If nothing else at least the two would share one similarity. Suzaku pulled his legs into another step closer. This time, as he went he extended his hand out but slowly and with care not to startle or surprise.
"Yeah, just like Jarlath." Suzaku said under his breath. "All nerves and no focus."
Lancelot gave another cock of his head at the words and shuffled himself forward once more.
It was only a small distance now between them, but Suzaku stopped as he heard Lloyd. He turned his head behind him at the sound of the solitary clapping with in the room.
"Very well done, Kururugi! Very well done, indeed." He turned abruptly with a flurry of his turn coat and motioned lazily for Suzaku to follow. "Now come along! I believe we have a contract to draw up and I can only do that in my office, which is unfortunately all the way back at High Castle."
Suzaku stopped and stood fully to look at the man. "But I haven't even—"
"You should be dead Kururugi, now if you would, I have several other prior engagements to see to as soon as we finish up with your contract."
One last look was shot over his shoulder to the pearly white dragon before as ordered he started after the researcher and was quickly followed by Cecile. Behind him, Suzaku could hear a low whistle like keening sound—he could only guess was coming from the dragon.
Silent as the grave was the only real term Suzaku could find to describe the vast throne room.
They had arrived to find the castle grounds devoid of anything but soldiers and hostages. That is also when they were informed of the current circumstances of the royal family. From there Suzaku still wasn't sure how they did it but between Lloyd convincing the soldiers they were of no harm, Suzaku suspected was on account of how crazy the researcher was, and Suzaku's bare, but very helpful, knowledge of the servants passages they had now found their way to the now very stilled and eerie throne room. Suzaku had somehow even managed to run by his quarters long enough to don a sword, now at his hip, and from there it hadn't taken them long to mitigate their way through the multiple passageways and corridors, but it had taken long enough for the entire royal family to be assembled.
They, the entire royal family, stood at the head of the room. As the three had entered Charles himself had just risen from his golden and red velvet throne. The rest of thee family all stood around him, closely together, and all faced forward with the same grave but proud expressions. Upon the raised floor, within the enclave of the throne, stood Charles, his multiple consorts and wives behind him, and his children before him. The children stood with the oldest closer to Charles and the youngest on the outer edges.
Suzaku's eyes ran over the powdered faces and pristine attire quickly before he found exactly who he was looking for. The tall slender prince stood to the left and in the front. The cold expression on his face immediately told Suzaku it could be none other than Lelouch. Suzaku eyes didn't stop though as he scanned the boy. His clothes were the same from that morning, meaning he hadn't had time to change—and knowing Lelouch he would have changed if he could—and his hair was tousled also alluding to he may not have had time for anything but to continue straight to the throne room. His cloths looked in good order though. At least, to Suzaku, who was looking only for red, they looked fine enough. Suzaku noticed also that the man stood tall with his fists at his side, which again was a good sign he'd been in no way hurt. Suzaku gave a deep exhale upon his assessment and his lack of findings.
Opposite to the large family stood—elevens. Suzaku had been surprised but not entirely. He'd lived his whole life on the border of Britannia and Providence Eleven, the former nation of Japan. The rumors of terrorist activity and even a little engagement with in the small village had been no stranger to Suzaku. There was a reason such a large Guard's Station and Academy had been placed there in such a small obscure town. But Suzaku had never seen anything like this. There were five men, all in formal uniform of red and white, who stood in direct confrontation of the royal family. Suzaku knew immediately the red and white uniforms were that of the former nation not that of an Eleven Britannian Soldier, 'cause that was what he wore after all.
"Come on boy!" Lloyd whispered urgently to him. "I want to know what in bloody hell is going on." It was amazing how eager and how bored the researcher could sound all at the same time.
Never the less, Suzaku nodded and quickly helped Lloyd push his way through the crowd to see what was taking place. He himself wanted to know what was going on and more importantly he wanted to be closer to the Prince.
He wasn't sure if he was allowed to claim a Prince as his own—but that didn't stop him from claiming ownership. After all he'd saved the boys life, which now his life had become his responsibility, and responsibility was ownership; therefore, Prince Lelouch was his Prince Lelouch. All that really meant to Suzaku was that at this very instant he had to be closer to his Prince Lelouch so that if need be he could protect his Prince Lelouch from any harm. It didn't matter if it was from his own kinsman this was his Prince Lelouch vi Britannia that was on the line. Nothing would touch his Prince as long as he was still in the room. Besides as far as he knew he was the only one to actually get asked for a name from the prince. Therefore, obviously, the prince had acknowledged the ownership of Suzaku and had dually accepted it, or at least that is how Suzaku saw things.
Within moments Suzaku had made his way to the foreground of the masses, his guess was that full court had been in progress when the situation had all started. It didn't matter to him though as the conversation was now in earshot. His eyes narrowed and his hand went to the hilt of his military issued broad sword as the speaker for the Eleven terrorists took a step forward.
"Lord Charles," the man started.
The emperor bristled slightly at the degrading of his name but uttered not a word waiting for the terrorist to continue.
"We are here on a simple envoy."
There was a clear snort at that from the emperor.
The terrorist gave a pause but continued onward nonetheless. "You see we of Japan—"
"Eleven." This was the tall Princess Cornelia. Her voice sneered as her top lip curled in distain.
In the stilled room, the sound of the Terrorist obvious shuffle echoed with harsh clarity.
Unperturbed but a little more forceful this time the speaker went on. "We here have come in representation of our people to implore you—"
"Hahaha!" the emperor let out the booming laughter. It was mirthless and so much more of a mocking sound, edged with sarcasm. "You implore of me?" the humor and amusement was still edged with a dangerous amount of pride and a little something Suzaku wasn't sure he wanted to know what was.
"Why ye—" the man was not given time to go on as tall main doors to the throne room whipped open and six soldiers, all in white and red, made their way, in a very hurried pace, up to the small group of terrorists. The group converged and hushed words streamed from the new comers to the existing. People looked from one to another with confused and curious faces as each tried to catch just a hint of the conversation.
Suzaku, on the other hand, took the opportunity and weaved his way closer to his Prince. He didn't care to be in front, but closer felt needed, unexpectedly he achieved both as he crept into the shadows of the draper that lined the enclave of the throne. He wasn't sure how this would end up, but he'd learned plenty at the academy in Gad, one of which being that hostage situations rarely ended in a simple release. His eyes scanned the crowd, for any one other then himself that could be of use as protection. He, of course, found no one of much competence, not that he'd expected to. He even knew that the best way to get hostages and keep them were along the lines of get all the guards out. It didn't matter to him though. He was close enough now that if need be he would be able to protect Lelouch, or if worst came to worst, grab him and run.
"My Lord!" this was an entirely new speaker.
Suzaku's head snapped at the deep growl that the man used as a voice. He stopped immediately with the sight of the tall broad form of the terrorist stepped forward, towards the family, and looking with an intent gaze straight up to the king. Suzaku felt his head cock, of its own accord, at the man. He—he knew him, or at least he thought he did. It was too—
Snow. That was all he'd ever really remembered. It was falling and he had been laughing and then...well then he wasn't. There had been the castle and the snow—and green. But then—after that he couldn't quite pull it up. There were so many faces—a few he knew he knew well, but really he couldn't have even been sure upon which face belonged to a parent or someone he'd seen often.
He knew more that he remembered that after that one memory everything had changed. Britannia had won after that and somehow he'd ended up in Gad with every other kid he'd grown up with. He knew from his foster parents that he'd been four when arriving at the homestead. The people that had taken him there were not his parents and that they had given basic information and left. There had never been a single thing after that, and eventually he'd ended up here.
That all still didn't stop him from narrowing his eyes at the man. He could have swore he knew that face—
"It has come to our attention that you have our Prince within your custody." The man spoke, with firm assurance.
The emperor's brow rose. "Your prince?"
"The heir—" The outburst from another among the terrorists was silenced by the dark haired man that had just spoken.
"Release him to us and we will leave." The man said now.
There was a ripple of murmurs throughout the room, while Suzaku tightened his hand at the hilt.
"Release him?" The emperor said, mirth was still very present in his voice. "Your prince you say?" the emperor looked around him, in wide swiping motions. "It would seem that I can see no other prince here other than that of my own siring."
The dark eyes of the man only narrowed before he continued, "We know he is here. He was reported to be seen with in these very stables."
A hushed, but unfortunately not hushed enough, gasp cut through the silence. "Suzaku." the whisper like the gasp was so quiet, but within the confines of the contained and fearful silence of the throne room it sounded to be at full staff. And very much to Suzaku's horror they had both been uttered by none other than Lelouch.
"Where is the boy?" A terrorist leaped forward, a half sword within hand.
Lelouch reacted immediately and took a full step back. His arms shot out at either side to herd his two younger, and most precious, siblings well behind himself, only someone else acted faster, Suzaku. The boy leapt from the shadows, and sword slid from his hilt faster then he'd ever managed before as he slid his way within half a second between his prince and the terrorists. A determined growl on his face along with the hard lines of his stance snapped into place, within a moment, as he lifted his other hand to better grip the sword.
If Suzaku had thought that the room was quiet before now he would have believed it may have actually been a grave. His eyes didn't leave straight ahead though, his senses all locked in. He knew Lelouch was still behind him, from the sound of his quiet but startled breathe.
The men before him had frozen. All of them, stood with slack jaws and wide eyes, all of which were focused directly on Suzaku.
"Suzaku…" The broad dark eyes man from before spoke in a half whisper.
Suzaku gave a slight cock of his head at the announcement of his name, resulting in a slackening of his grip, which allowed the sword to drop a short distance, but not enough to be considered no longer a threat. With a weary gaze, Suzaku looked to the man again.
He started to shake his head within moments. "I—I don't know you." He took a sliding step back, unsure, but stead. He wanted to reach behind him, to find Lelouch, to slide his hand across his hip as he had before. Mostly, Suzaku wanted to know Lelouch was there and was expecting his protection.
"Suzaku." he heard the whispered word, but took no further action than that of a nod. It had been the voice of his Prince. It felt good now to have Lelouch say is name, at this of all moments. He steadied his hold on the sword and leaned forward his eyes narrowing with the determination and his mouth formed a hard line with the rush of focus. Lelouch was behind him, even if Suzaku couldn't make certain of that, Lelouch had made him aware of it. Suzaku slid his feet into a wider stance; for a better hope that if it came down to it he'd be ready to react quickly enough to deflect a blow.
"I present to you Tohdoh, Sir Kururugi," The emperor's booming voice cut through the taunt silence. "Knight of Betrayal." The gleeful gleam of the emperors eyes went unnoticed by most in the room, unfortunately not from the terrorists.
Suzaku did notice the words though and his head lifted slightly as he almost looked back. The sword dropped again farther this time and Suzaku had to register that he needed to maintain hold or he'd otherwise have to deal with a sword through his foot while trying to protect Lelouch. He didn't have time to think on it long though as his head snapped back at the first sign of movement.
"Suzaku!" This time the man reached forward as he took a powerful stride.
Suzaku snapped the sword up just in time to see the broad doors Suzaku faced burst open. The man heard it too and Suzaku stole the half moment with in those dark eyes were no longer on him to spin and latch his hand on to Lelouch's wrist and yank him to the drapery where he himself had previously hidden.
With in that same moment the deafening roar of Galahad sent the throne room into frenzy. Suzaku caught a glance of the massive beast he had attended to only hours before. Now with the foreboding form of the Knight of One atop his back and the numerous soldiers at Galahad's feet which looked utterly miniscule. But he quickly turned back to Lelouch as chaos ensued, and the room was filled with the shouts of terrorists and cries of the courtiers. The drapery wouldn't be a proper hiding spot Suzaku immediately assessed and as the second roar was heard and without a second thought he tightened his grip, starting for the servant's passage ways. The formal halls would be packed and guarded, and he didn't want to have to deal with that when Lelouch was on the line.
Around then the Nobles had gone into their own form of chaos. The Royal Guard was well on their way to the rest of the family and the terrorists were trying their best to get out of the unforeseen prison. Suzaku broke into a half run half hauling the boy behind him. It was mere second after that to reach the small passage way—
"Suzaku, there's not—" the prince stopped himself as they rounded the corner of the grand pillar to find the modest doorway.
"It's an optical illusion." Suzaku explained, before wasting no time he threw open the servants door and dashed up the hidden stairwell, taking Lelouch with him.
A few moments later they stood with in open space of the upstairs servants passages. Lelouch felt his wrist released as Suzaku went to collapse against the wall. Lelouch, himself was beyond winded, panting to regain his breath, his hands on his knees, and his voice ragged as he spoke.
"Suzaku, what was that man referring to down there?"
Suzaku, much to Lelouch's displeasure, was breathing fine, but he leaned his back against the wall, his eyes to the ceiling, his expression that of utter confusion. "I don't know." He shook his head with the slightest amount of energy needed.
Lelouch straightened himself with as much elegance as he could manages, still out of breath, but only he needed to know that.
"Suzaku," He said the boys name with as much severity as his voice would permit. "Those men knew you, they knew your face and they knew you were here." Lelouch stopped realizing that he had missed the more key question that should have made its way to his mind foremost. "Who are you?"
"No one!" Suzaku let out, his voice a little harsher then necessary. He turned his head far enough to trap Lelouch in the stare of emerald green pools. "I swear."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "How can i—" Lelouch started for the passage way, let his feet slide against the stone in a single step.
Suzaku was faster though as he lurched forward, his hand latched itself back on to Lelouch's wrist. "No, Lelouch—"
The dark head of Lelouch vi Britannia whipped around to place the Japanese boy in a glaze that would make weaker men crumble.
"I mean your Highness," Suzaku corrected himself. Instantly he released Lelouch's wrist again, taking a full step back.
Lelouch knew that at that moment there was one of two options he could take. One he would maintain his dignity and the other—well that wasn't as assured. He gave a sigh. He was so—so what? What did he want from this boy? Why was he acting like this? He shouldn't be in this position and yet—and yet here he was, standing his ground against someone who had tried to save him. He was always the one to push everybody away.
"Lamprouge."
"Uh," Suzaku let out rather uncalculated. "Okay.."
"It's my mother's maiden name." Lelouch sighed.
Suzaku still didn't look like he quite got it.
"Lelouch Lamprouge," Lelouch continued, "is the name I prefer."
An 'o' was effectively seen on his face and the breath he let release. "Is that what you would like me to call you then?"
Lelouch felt a smile claw its way on to his face so a chuckle could be heard. "No, that's how I want you to think of me." Lelouch stepped forward to the peasant boy, that sweet, awkward, out of place peasant. "You will address me as the prince I am." His fingers straightened the untidy guard's uniform on Suzaku's shoulders, fully knowing the slight changes would only be brushed off the second Suzaku returned to his duties.
"And think of you as Lelouch Lamprouge…" Suzaku eyed him for a long moment. "As Lelouch Lamprouge—as my friend…?" He ventured hoping it wasn't just a meaningless stab in the dark.
With a smile Lelouch didn't give any firm affirmation, "Something like that." Because prince's didn't have friends, and if they did it wasn't with the stable boy, it wasn't with common filth and it certainly wasn't with an eleven.
I know this is way over due and a little on the unexciting side but it's certainly plot progression! Hope you liked it! :D
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