Five: Indigo
Saralegui frowned. "What did you just say?" I must have heard wrongly. Why would she, after so long?
"Your mother, Queen Alazon, has asked that you meet her," repeated Berias. "Thirteen days from now, in the dark of the moon, she will await you at Raven's Gate in Dai Shimaron."
"Raven's Gate… isn't that the base of the White Ravens?" The blonde was stalling for time. My mother… after all this time, she has finally asked for me…
Berias nodded. "Yes, it is. Queen Alazon is the present leader of the White Ravens," he explained. "I am sure that she will tell you more about it herself."
Sighing, Saralegui turned away from his bodyguard, looking out of the window instead. "Berias, I am the King of Shou Shimaron. I can't just up and leave whenever I may feel like it. And our relations with Dai Shimaron are still extremely fragile. Incognito, I don't believe I will be able to defend myself completely should Lanzhil choose to move his army on me." I should stop this smokescreen. It's getting a bit overdone; Berias will notice.
"Your Majesty, the White Ravens are highly adept at concealment, as are we. I am confident that we can reach the Raven's Gate safely," argued Berias. "Lanzhil's army cannot hope to stand against the combined power of the Queen, you, and the rest of the Ravens, no matter how many houryoku users they may employ."
I want to see her. Saralegui closed his eyes. I'm a fool, really. Why do I want to meet this pitiless woman who discarded her child for her own convenience? Perhaps she's my mother, but what pride do I have if I go crawling back to her now?
Hell with pride. She's a queen and she's your mother! Another voice spoke up now, overriding the previous one. If she acknowledges you, you will be heir to Seisakoku. Besides, what's wrong with seeing what she wants with you for now? You could use this to show her what she missed when she abandoned you.
Tawny gold eyes opened slowly, but they were blind to the gorgeous sunset lighting up the sky. "Very well. I will make arrangements with the Council tomorrow," he said, a concession to his bodyguard as well as a promise to himself.
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As usual, it was a drag to convene the Council. Saralegui didn't bother to recall the nobles currently in their country homes; it would really be too much of a hassle, and he wanted to leave as soon as possible. Thirteen – now twelve – days was not a very generous window of time.
In any case, it wasn't as though he was passing a new law or something of that degree of importance – he was simply announcing his decision to leave the country for a few days. Normally, he wouldn't have thought twice about mounting his horse and leaving with Berias incognito, but the Council was on edge after the whole business with Dai Shimaron and they weren't going to take kindly to it if he decided to waltz into dangerous territory without giving them prior notice.
Now the young king faced his Council in his throne room, having just informed them of his plans and awaiting their opinions (of which he was sure there would be quite a number). He was not disappointed.
Handor, the man who had replaced Gerald as military commander, spoke up first. "Your Majesty, I don't think it is a good idea to go so soon after what happened with Dai Shimaron." The other nobles murmured in assent, nodding at the statement.
"Even if you bring armed guards with you, your safety cannot be guaranteed," said Lord Imran, one of the Senior Counselors. "In fact, by bringing an armed force with you, you are more likely to get King Lanzhil's attention and be suspected by him."
Saralegui listened patiently as others echoed cautionary advice. Do they really think I haven't thought of all this myself? he wondered. Well, I suppose I should leave them with something to say.
A question rang out, clear over the low mutterings of the other nobles. "Your Majesty, will you not tell us of the reason you wish to go?"
Finally. None of them asked, till this person… who is it? The blonde glanced around the room, searching for the speaker. Ah, it must be that woman. Lady Quinne, I believe her name was. "Oh, did I not mention it? My mother called me there." Let's see what you make of this. Truth can sometimes be as good as a lie.
There was an instant uproar. "Your mother? How do you know? What proof is there? Is this some kind of trick?" The questions flew in every direction, the entire Council apparently mistrustful of the idea.
Saralegui feigned shock. "I assumed that you would all remember Queen Alazon. It would seem that I am greatly mistaken…"
"No, it's not that!" Reassurances came flurrying back at once. "We simply…" The voices died out, everyone exchanging looks of uncertainty. The subject of the royal family, after all, had been taboo ever since King Gilbert's marriage to the foreigner, Alazon.
The young king placed a look of pure, bland innocence on his face. "Well, then, there should be no problem. I'm glad to see that you are all supportive of my decision." Before anyone could say anything to the contrary, he added, "Adjourned."
As the nobles filed out, still a low murmur of troubled conversation hanging over them, Saralegui slipped out the back way with Berias at his heels. "Getting personal really helps," he commented. "It always works on them."
"Your Majesty, I would advise against it unless the issue is exceptional," cautioned Berias, always concerned for his charge.
"Oh, don't worry. I won't use it any more than I have to, or they'll catch on to it. I was lucky this time; any longer and they might've got me." The blonde's expression had become more sober. I couldn't exactly tell them why Alazon had called for me… because I myself don't know why.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A knock on the door interrupted the blonde in the midst of his preparations for the trip. He looked up, quickly banishing his frown. "Yes?"
The door opened to reveal a man-at-arms. "Your Majesty, we have brought your letters."
"So?" Saralegui wasn't in a particularly forgiving mood, still rather displeased with his own poor argumentative show at the council meeting.
The unfortunate man stiffened in apprehension; even he could sense the negative vibes emanating from his king. "T-there is a letter from the Maou, which we believed you would be interested in."
Now that was a different matter. Yuuri had this ability to make the young king feel good. Whether it was that feeling of superiority (because the Maou could be so dumb sometimes) or the vaguely comforting feeling of security in their so-called friendship, it always felt good. Maybe this could cheer me up… "Thank you," he said, smiling as he approached the trembling man to take the correspondence. "You may leave." The man did so immediately, leaving his king in peace.
Saralegui lost no time in slitting the envelope and unfolding the letter, settling on the edge of his bed to read.
To Saralegui, King of Shou Shimaron:
Dear Sara,
How are you? Have you recovered yet? I'm still feeling guilty about you taking that shot for me. Anyway, how's everything? I hope Dai Shimaron didn't come back to pester you about us. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten so angry… but I was angry, I mean, they shot you! How could I not be angry!
The young king smiled. He was angry for me. I hypothesized that his reaction would be as such, but… Somehow, it was rather nice to see Yuuri verbalizing his emotions. He continued reading.
Man, you should've seen the fuss Gunter made when I told him I wanted to write a letter to you. He was going on and on about the problems that would occur if it was intercepted by Dai Shimaron. And he also nagged at me about formatting. I don't get why he's so uptight sometimes… after all, we're friends! Friends don't worry about protocol. That's one reason why friends are great.
Saralegui couldn't quite repress the feeling of warmth that rose in him as he read the last lines of that paragraph.
In any case, I wrote to ask you to come and visit once things have cooled down between you and Dai Shimaron. Well, actually, I wanted you to come immediately, but Gunter said that it would be impossible with King Lanzhil on your case. I want to introduce you to everyone – my daughter Greta, Cheri-sama, maybe even Gwendal. They're really like my family. Maybe I'll even bring my real brother Shouri from Earth to meet you.
The blonde blinked, then carefully reread the passage. He couldn't detect any signs of artificiality. Yuuri wasn't asking simply to keep his promise – the promise that he'd made just before Saralegui had gotten himself shot. It wasn't out of obligation. At least, it didn't seem to be. Yuuri wasn't very good at lying.
Well, that's all I have to say. Tell Berias that I say hi and do come as soon as you can!
Signed,
Shibuya Yuuri Harajuku Fuuri, Maou
Now that was a long sign-off. Even Saralegui's was shorter. Should I accept…?
He went to his desk, taking quill, inkpot and paper from the drawer. Heck with the nobles. I want to have fun. After a moment's thought, he began to write.
To Yuuri, Maou, Ruler of Shin Makoku
Dear Yuuri,
I was overjoyed to receive your letter. In answer to your queries, I am in good health, so don't blame yourself for my injury. As for Dai Shimaron, King Lanzhil has yet to express his opinion of the events that took place while you were here.
Thank you very much for your invitation. I am extremely grateful to be invited to your country. However, as your advisors have told you, I cannot make any suspicious moves while Dai Shimaron is still mistrustful of me. As such, I will accept your invitation, but will have to fulfill it at a later date. I will notify you prior to my visit.
Signed,
Saralegui, King of Shou Shimaron
The young king blew gently on the paper to make the ink dry faster. When he was sure all the ink had dried, he rolled the letter up and tied it neatly with an official ribbon.
He rang a bell to call the one of the men-at-arms outside his room in. Upon entering, Saralegui handed over the letter and instructed him to have it delivered to the Maou, pretending to be oblivious to the surprised look on the soldier's face.
Once that was done, he turned his attention back to his packing. He had a rendezvous with a person he could barely remember in enemy country. This will be fun.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They travelled on horseback, just him and Berias, and in disguise. Until they reached their destination, Berias was his father and they were tourists from Dai Shimaron on the way home.
To keep up appearances, they had avoided using their usual mounts, instead taking two of the other horses from the royal stables. Even so, they still garnered plenty of attention from other travelers and lodgers along the way. Several of the serving girls hung around the pair at every lodging-house they stopped at each night, clearly hoping to be noticed and invited to join them. Saralegui and Berias simply acted as though the girls were transparent, though they made no comments on the significantly better service they received.
On the seventh day of travelling, also the tenth day after the arrival of Alazon's invitation, they crossed the border into Dai Shimaron. The border guards barely spared them a second glance, waving the dark-haired man and the boy with a wide-brimmed hat through along with all the other travelers.
Once they'd turned off the main highway and into the less exposed forest, Saralegui shook his bright hair out of the hat with a sigh of relief. "I do hope our own border guards are better than that."
"I believe they would be on high alert, especially on this border, after the… recent events involving Dai Shimaron," replied Berias. "This way, Your Majesty," he added, turning down the opposite arm of the fork.
Saralegui guided his horse to follow his companion. He'd never tell the man, but it was rather amusing to see how Berias homed in on Alazon the way fireflies homed in on their mates over large distances. "Berias, how is it that you can sense her power but I cannot?"
Berias glanced at him sharply, which was his way of showing surprise. "Perhaps it's because I am better acquainted with her power. She is masking it at present, but I can still recognize it beneath the veil."
"Why would she need to mask her power?" inquired the blonde. "Does Lanzhil not know who the true leader of the White Ravens is?"
"I believe so," answered his guard. "Alazon's goal is the Holy Sword. Lanzhil – Dai Shimaron, even – must have been a mere tool in her plans."
Saralegui chuckled. "A very useful one too, seeing as she has this Holy Sword in her possession after such a long search." Berias had filled him in on the essentials of the matter along the journey, and by now, he knew that Alazon had sent for him to use the Holy Sword for Seisakoku. He still hadn't decided whether or not to do so, preferring to play by ear as the situation called.
Soon, the path began to slope upwards, becoming steeper and rockier with each bend. Before long, they emerged from the forest onto a mountain track. Should I put that hat on again? No, there's nobody to see us anyway… Saralegui concentrated, spreading houryoku-enhanced senses outwards to detect the presence of other humans. He had done this earlier, upon entering the forest, but had found no one.
This time, he picked up several spots of houryoku, presumably from houseki, over a large area in front of him – the whole mountain, probably. Saralegui concluded that these were houryoku-wielding sentries of the White Raven. We're getting close. Where's Alazon, though? Her power should be great enough to be sensed from here. He frowned, pushing his senses in the direction where the houryoku appeared most concentrated.
Suddenly, an unexpected flare of power jarred his focus. He opened his eyes, glaring at Berias. "What was that for?"
"I thought it would be best to notify Alazon of our arrival," answered his guard. "She or her subordinates would probably have noticed my flare."
"We are early, aren't we?" Perhaps being early is better. It would throw off any plans she might have designed for us… not that she is likely to, but it's always best to consider everything.
The man nodded. "Yes, but I thought that since we've already arrived, it would be best to stay with the White Ravens until the best time to operate the Holy Sword. We wil have more time to get acquainted with our surroundings. I did not expect them to be so close to the border."
Neither did I. Saralegui 's brow crinkled. I would personally prefer to stay away from them a little longer… but staying in Dai Shimaron for any longer than necessary would be a waste of time. As soon as this is over, I want to visit Shin Makoku. "Very well then. Let's go."
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"Saralegui, my son." Her voice was caressing, but her face was cold, distant and haughty.
The blonde king inclined his head. "Queen Alazon," he replied, not missing a beat. What had he expected anyway? A warm hug, tears, exclamations of joy upon the reunion of mother and son? No, if his mother were anything like himself, such a thing would be impossible, even laughable.
Still, it would have been nice if she acted as though she felt some form of affection towards him.
She swept down from her throne, approaching him. "I am glad to see that you have taken my request for your presence to heart."
"It was no trouble. I knew that you required my help to save your country." Saralegui kept his speech formal. Both of them were for the moment sailing uncharted waters. Behind him, Berias watched their exchange silently.
Alazon paused before him, statuesque, porcelain, immortal. She was so white, with only small bright spots of color on her face and robes that only made the white appear even starker. "Thank you, Berias, for passing on my message. You have served me faithfully."
"It is my duty to serve the ruler of Seisakoku," answered the guard, his voice neutral.
"Saralegui, do you know your purpose here?" inquired Alazon.
The young king nodded. "You need me to wield the Holy Sword to revive Seisakoku, or so I hear."
"That is correct." She smiled, if an upward curve of the lips denoted a smile. "Janus, bring the sword."
A shadow just outside the shaft of light illuminating the throne moved. "Yes, Your Majesty." It detached from the rest of the darkness, something glinting as it came forward.
As it came into the light, it was revealed to be a man with black hair, clad in dark clothes and with strange purple markings under his eyes. He knelt beside the queen, proffering a chipped, discolored sword-shaped item with both hands.
She gripped it with one hand, holding it horizontally before her. "This, my son, is our country's Holy Sword."
Saralegui's eyebrows crinkled. "It's not in a very… good state," he commented. Inwardly, he thought, Good gods, this pathetic object is the Holy Sword?! What has happened to it? I can barely feel its power…
"Indeed, it is not. I believe that by awakening it, though, it will return to its former glory." Alazon's gaze met his, unwavering. "I have tried to do so myself, despite my research findings showing that it can only be awakened by a person of mixed blood. As expected, I was unsuccessful. My country's hopes rest fully upon you, Saralegui."
"Since you put it that way, I have no other choice." The blonde reached out with his right hand, curling his fingers firmly around the old sword and summoning his houryoku at the same time.
As soon as his grip tightened enough to support its weight, the sword flared a blinding gold light that threw the huge, shadowy hall into sharp relief. Had Saralegui turned, he would have seen several black-clad people crouched in what were previously shadows, probably guards of sorts.
But Saralegui did not turn – he was too captivated by what was happening to the sword in his grasp to pay attention to anything else.
Even as he watched, the old sword shed layers of dirt, rust, and mold, its light shining brighter with each passing second. The humming in his mind, which had been present since he'd entered the hall and become louder when Janus had brought the sword to them, increased tenfold in volume, making his whole body shiver in the wake of the vibrations.
Chipped parts of the sword reformed before his eyes, the bright gold light solidifying and melding with the rest of the now-gleaming metal. Slowly, the brilliance dimmed, as did the humming in his mind.
Then a voice spoke, a voice neither male nor female, living nor dead, old nor young; a voice that thrummed with power and resonated in his mind.
Hello, young one. I am Gyvenimas. You may call me Veni. I assume you are my new companion?
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A/N: OMG I haven't updated in what, half a year?! –ducks rotten tomatoes– I'm really, really sorry, but things have been so hectic, and they're not likely to calm down anytime soon (even though it's the holidays T.T). I'm doing my best, but I'm updating something like a few lines a day due to time constraints and plain exhaustion. If this chapter seems choppy… well, that's the reason why. Oh, and it doesn't help that I've gotten hooked on Bleach either. I've finished the series, so anyone can recommend any nice anime I can watch next?
By the way, Gyvenimas means 'life' in Lithuanian. It was the nicest, coolest-sounding translation I could find. I couldn't read the Russian translation; the ones I considered were Finnish, Danish, Dutch, Latvian, Estonian… (Google Translate is an awesome tool XD) Anyways, I thought it would be nice to give the sword a name, because calling it 'Holy Sword' all the time is irritating to type O.o plus it doesn't sound personal enough.
WHO HATES THE KYOU KARA MAOU THIRD SEASON ENDING, SEND ME A REVIEW. Those who don't hate it, please do review too ^^
Reviews inspire me and will revive me when I get back from camp this week. So… please review!! XD