The Road of Air
Alex had locked herself up in her room and had been so upset that she hadn't come down to dinner. Of course, Tiydus had come up to apologize for yelling, but she didn't let him in. After all, if what she had just heard from him was how she was going to live her life, she would have preferred the bandit to actually kill her. She sighed as Tiydus continued pleading with her for forgiveness.
"Alex, listen. Please? I'm really sorry, please let me explain," he called. She didn't answer him; however he really was starting to sound quite pitiful. Alex could hear Remus' voice too.
"Tell her that you won't ever yell again," the redhead whispered. Alex sighed through her tears. You really had to have spent a lot of time around the twins to be able to tell their voices apart.
"I promise I'll try to better control my temper. Alex, I'm REALLY sorry!" Tiydus begged.
"And tell her you're an old, ill-tempered ugly toad," Remus instructed trying to be incognito.
"I'm an ol—am not!" Tiydus said quickly.
Alex found herself giggling, but the laughter died quickly. And so she fell asleep eventually, feeling completely alone.
The next morning she was allowed to sleep in until six am, no one had the nerve to wake her. At last, Grundette woke her around 6:10. There was, to Alex's surprise, no tight dress today, only a loose, one layered garment. However, the make-up didn't disappear and Alex still emerged from the room feeling suffocated. She was lead down into the palace courtyard, still only half awake, where she was greeted by the warm, motherly smile of Ms. Slambert.
"Good morning, Alexandra," she said pleasantly.
Alex hugged her elderly friend. "Good morning," she said gently. More and more it was starting to feel to Alex like the elderly widow was the only one that hadn't hurt her.
Ms. Slambert nodded. "Alright, are we off then?" she asked.
Alex looked around herself and the six knights at the gate nodded. She had been forbidden to go anywhere without at least four guards, all of which members of the palace elite. Alex scowled nastily, they had been ordered by her father, and moreover Tiydus too, not to let her out of their sight. She had cried at least and good hour for the complete and total loss of her privacy alone, among her other sorrows.
The company left the castle and Ms. Slambert was trying to make small talk, obviously an attempt to ease her distress. Alex thought with little uncertainty that sometimes, hell, maybe all the time, Ms. Slambert knew her better than her own mother. If it hadn't been her motherly intuition, her red, puffy eyes must have given her away.
"Do you have any idea what the dress you'd want will look like?" Ms. Slambert asked.
Alex sighed. "My dress has already been preordered, I don't know what it looks like," she said apathetically.
Ms. Slambert tried again. "Well, what dress are you wearing to the ball tonight?"
The talk about the ball made her even more upset; she would have to face Tiydus for sure. She had forgiven him for yelling, and even for what he said, but it was the promise he had made to her that she could never forgive. She realized now that the promise Tiydus had made to take care of her was in the end, just another way of forbidding her to leave the castle. This meant she'd never be allowed to chase her dream either. Alex knew very well what she wanted to do was dangerous, but the virtue of it made it worthwhile. Sure, she might get hurt or even die, but at least she'd die happy. If she was confined to the castle forever, she would watch her father or Tiydus ride out to death and leave her alone, when she would have gladly given her long, lonely life to be with them for just a moment of courage and righteousness. How could they call a life alone, the life that they would have her live, living? Life, truly living, came when one was chasing a dream; and Alex had only one dream. To be a knight like Sir Lavitz and defend the country with everything she was worth.
"Oh, I'm wearing my red and pink one. Mom and Pierre like it, so I'm stuck wearing it. However, I suppose it's not so bad. I think it's actually kind of nice," she answered.
"Oh? Who's Pierre?" Ms. Slambert asked clueless to Alex's suffering on the matter. Alex wanted to laugh out loud bitterly at the fact Ms. Slambert didn't know about her wedding planner when it was he who was causing most of her misery. "Pierre's my wedding planner," she said with a scowl.
It took the small procession a while to get to the tailoring shop, seeing as Ms. Slambert was elderly, she walked slower. Five more minutes found them in the tailoring shop, and Ms. Slambert instructed the clerk at the desk to bring out the dress. Before long, Alex had been ushered into a dressing room and been asked to strip down to her undergarments. Moments later, Ms. Slambert and a few female assistants came in, each holding something. In Ms. Slambert's hands were a veil, brush, and bottle of some strange substance. Two assistants carried the dress itself and another carried the shoes. After a long two hours of every inch of the dress fabric being inspected and placed, finally she was done.
The four ladies that helped her dress stepped back and allowed her to look into a body-length standing mirror. Alexandra cringed in fear as to what the dress would look like, considering the last ones Pierre had picked for her. Her fear was short-lived.
From what she had expected, the dress was quite the opposite; it was beautiful. The whole dress was made of fine, white satin that gave an iridescent shine and was accented with rich gold and silver embroidery. The dress involved a square neck, long sleeve corset, and a long, voluminous gown skirt. The veil, which was secured into her hair by a headband of ivory, came down to her mid-back and her chest in the front. From what Alex saw there was a bow, of the same fabric tied around her waist in the back.
All the women in the small room seemed awed.
"What do you think, Alexandra?" Ms. Slambert asked.
Alex nodded, but closed her eyes. It's beautiful," she said quietly and sorrowfully. She had half-hoped that the dress would have been unsatisfactory as to give her a reason to postpone the wedding. Ms. Slambert gave her young friend an odd look, and then dismissed the other women. Alex turned to look at her. "Why did you dismiss them?" she asked.
"Because my dear, there's obviously something troubling you, and you haven't been yourself all morning. Or is it that you don't like the dress?" Ms. Slambert asked, giving her a soft, knowing look.
Alex turned away to gaze back at her reflection. Something came over her, a feeling of hopelessness and defeat as she looked into her own emerald eyes.
"I . . .I don't want to marry him," she said at last in a voice barely above a whisper.
Ms. Slambert seemed genuinely surprised. "You don't want to marry Tiydus? Why not? He's been your friend since you were little, and he obviously cares for you. You and he are very close, and good to each other," she said gently.
Alex felt herself start to cry. "That's just it. He's my FRIEND! And after what he said yesterday I'm not sure what to think!" she cried and spilled out the story of the previous day's events. When she was finished, she stood in tears. "I give up. Obviously it is right and proper to let bandits and firebirds take over my country and send men that were my friends to their deaths while I sit alone in the throne room confined to that chair by the will of my father and husband no more alive than the stone on which Indels was built!" she sobbed, struggling with the words. She sank to her knees on the floor. "At least, if nothing else, I could live in Indels if I could at least practice. Of course, even that's too much to ask, now that my fiancée thinks I'm a restless, irresponsible burden with no regard for my own life!" she wailed and buried her head in her hands.
Ms. Slambert shook her old head. "You know men say things they don't mean, Alexandra, especially when they're scared. Scared of losing someone precious to them. And I just want you to know that sometimes men can be stubborn and do stupid things. It may take them a while to realize and even longer still to admit they made a mistake, but eventually they will," Gracy explained.
"It's not them, it's me. I guess I never should have hoped to be as great as my father. I guess, since everyone around me says it's wrong, it is," she said bitterly.
"Don't say that! It's never wrong to dream. And as long as you don't give up there will always be a way to achieve your goals. Lavitz said the same thing when he was young and I told him the same thing I just told you. You and Lavitz are a lot alike. When he was young he wanted to be a knight, but Servi wouldn't let him. He said it was too dangerous. Eventually, and because he never gave up, he was able to convince Servi of the power of his dreams. He saved Servi's life, you know. He saved his father from a troop of Sandoras with the power Servi had forbidden him to have. Parents just want to protect their children, Alex dear. The only catch is that you can't save them from growing up or growing strong. You just have to trust that they are strong enough to save themselves. It is only when a child is fully capable of chasing their own dreams that they are fully grown," she said gently while rubbing Alex's back.
"La . . Lavitz wen through this too?" she asked.
"Yes and passion was his driving force and his trump card," she assured.
Alex sniffled and nodded. Ms. Slambert had made her feel somewhat better, but she still had a long way to go. Ms. Slambert looked at the clock on the wall. "Oh! Mercy me, it's already noon. Your father said it was best if you were back by 12:30, we best get going!" Ms. Slambert realized aloud.
It took about half an hour to get Serdio's princess out of her ornate dress and about another half hour to get back to Indels. She parted with Ms. Slambert reluctantly at the gate and hurried to her room. Alex managed a sarcastic smile and a sour laugh to herself. Pierre was standing about in her room, in front of her wardrobe, muttering to himself.
"What are you doing in my room, Pierre?" she asked in annoyance.
The man turned to look at her. "Ah, princess you are FINALLY here," he said in a scolding tone.
Alex sighed. "I was delayed at the—"
"Excuses, excuses! Either way you are late. So, you've gotten your gown? And found it satisfactory?" he said, still looking around. He didn't give her a chance before he continued. "Good. Now, her majesty the queen has informed me that you have already chosen a dress for this evening? Which one?" he asked, opening her wardrobe.
"You've already seen it, you helped pick it," Alex growled as she roomed the garment from her closet along with matching shoes. She held them up and waved them in the air impatiently.
"A decent pick, nothing short of me. Now then, I'll call Grundette and you can get dressed for the ball tonight," he said with a curt bow.
"You never did answer my question. Why are you in my room to begin with?" Alex growled at him.
Pierre turned to her and gave her an 'isn't it obvious' look. "Of course, highness I am looking at your furniture to decide which of it shall be moved," he said as if she knew everything.
"Moved?" Alex asked in confusion.
Pierre shook his head. "Moved aside so Lord Tiydus can move some of his furnishings in here. You are aware, as his wife you shall be sharing a bedroom."
Alex felt like someone had backhanded her. She had forgot the part about marriage involving a shared bedroom.
"Wha . . .I have to share my room? O . . okay fine. He is moving his own bed in here too, isn't he?" she asked shakily.
"Would you prefer his bed instead of your in here?" Pierre asked.
Alex cringed. Sure she's taken naps with Tiydus and Remus when they were small, but to do so now would be highly in appropriate. She didn't even want to think of what that might also mean. The thought was making her sick. At that time, Grundette poked into the room.
"Grundette, darling, there you are. Please get our princess ready for the ball," Pierre requested.
Grundette called in two assistants and immediately began work. In no time at all, after being subjected to the usual torture, Alex was ready. She got up to leave, but Grundette seated her. "Where is your tiara, majesty, you've been requested to wear it," Grundette informed.
Alex opened a desk drawer to reveal a stunning gold tiara inlaid with six large emeralds, lying on a satin green pillow. Grundette removed the crown and went to work on her hair again to secure it.
It was a quarter until 3 o'clock when they had finally finished completely with her. Or, so she thought. To her dismay, Pierre wanted to see her downstairs. Alex went to the ballroom as she had been instructed and found Pierre there waiting for her
"You summoned?" she said flatly.
"Why yes, your majesty, I did. I wanted to make sure you're not rusty on your ballroom dancing. So we're going to practice," he said formally and extended a hand out to her like one would do to initiate a dance. Alex groaned. She didn't even want to think about the criticism Pierre would undoubtedly be spouting before this was over.
Alex reached out a fair hand and took Pierre's reluctantly. She curtsied, and Pierre bowed.
"Music Grundette," he called and his pudgy assistant stuck up a band of Indel's musicians that had gathered there. The music was a beautiful waltz with a steady beat and a light melody from Esther, the royal head musician on his flute. Alex began, as slowly as Pierre would allow her to, to put one foot in front of the other, making sure to take painstaking care on each step to be flawless. However, with Pierre's incessant twirling, she felt increasingly more dizzy and it was hard to keep up.
Pierre, unaffected by his own movement noticed Alex's mistakes. "Your highness, you're slowing, however the pace of the music hasn't changed. You must feel the rhythm through your feet," he instructed.
Just as Alex feared, he cut the music. "Stop, stop. Majesty, one can only have grace when one possesses poise. Obviously you've not been taking your delicacy lessons seriously," he furthered.
Alex sighed. "I was getting dizzy, you were spinning very fast," she explained.
Pierre shook his head. "tut, tut, tut. That was only a short dance. If you cannot tolerate that then how will you dance at a ball? Come your highness, let's try again," he said in a lecturing tone.
Alex bit her tongue to keep from complaining, which she knew would only prolong things. Pierre signaled the music to continue and bowed again to start the dance. All was well, until Pierre started spinning again; however this time he was twirling her under his arms. About the third or fourth time, Alex accidentally stepped down sharply on his toes, causing Pierre to release her and cry out in pain with a quick "Ow!"
Without even stopping the music he glanced up reprimanding. "Your majesty, must I stress upon you that this is a serious matter? You seem to take nothing seriously that I am trying to teach you. You're not trying! What can I do to encourage you to try? Why, when you and Lord Tiydus are wed tomorrow, I shall very much doubt he'll be pleased when he finds his wife had been taught proper manners but does not use them."
Alex, feeling dizzy in mind and body, could not longer restrain herself. "Plainly speaking, I don't really care if he's pleased with me or not. I am who I am and I don't plan on changing any time soon," she said bluntly.
By this time the band had noticed the halt in the dance and had ceased playing. The silence made Pierre's responding voice ten times louder than it normally would have been. "You don't care? Well highness, maybe you should! At least seeing as you will be with Lord Tiydus the rest of your life! From what I've been told, the two of you have always been close friends. Why wouldn't you want to please him? And as for who you are and not changing, you might want to reconsider. Everyone changes, majesty, no one ever stays completely the same. You, your highness, have an irresponsible attitude that might get you into trouble one day, so unless you'd like to be the queen of disaster, I'd plan on growing up!" he said in a tone not unlike her father's. Alexandra had taken all she could stand.
"Get out," she said quietly at first.
Pierre glanced at her. "Excuse me?"
"Get out! Right now!" she rephrased, more powerfully this time.
Pierre sensed the rage in her building and let go of her. "Your majesty---"
"OUT! THIS INSTANT! I'VE NEVER HAD SOMEONE INSULT ME THIS WAY! SEEING AS THE LAST TIME I CHECKED IT WAS I THAT WEARS THE TIARA, NOT YOU, SO I COMMAND YOU AS THE PRINCESS OF SERDIO TO LEAVE AT ONCE!" she shouted as if finally admitting some long-kept secret.
Pierre, whom was at a loss for words, stared at her awkwardly before nodding, bowing, and managing a hushed, "Yes, your majesty," before leaving the room.
Alexandra then turned to the musicians. "You're dismissed," she said briskly before continuing on her way to her tower.
It was almost sundown as Alexandra sat on her bed and about an hour until she was expected at the ball. There came a knock on the door. "Who is it?" she called.
"It's Ms. Slambert, your majesty," one of the guards outside her door answered.
"Come in," she said flatly.
The door creaked open, held by guards as Ms. Slambert entered the room carrying something large and covered completely in brown paper. Once in, the guards closed the door, leaving the two to themselves.
For a while, there was silence. "You are going to attend the ball, aren't you?" Alex asked at last.
Ms. Slambert smiled. "Of course. I've brought you your wedding gift," she said warmly. "I'm sorry it took so long dear, but it took me a while to find it."
Alex looked up at her old friend as she was handed the package. It was surprisingly light. "Thank you, it's more than I deserve," Alex said, depressed.
Ms. Slambert shook her head. "Tssh! Don't say such things! You know that's not true. Well, aren't you going to open it?" the elderly woman asked.
Alex nodded her head submissively. The princess noticed that the package was wrapped unevenly, so she moved to the largest end and gave the paper a tug. Ms. Slambert tried to say something, however it was too late. Alex drew her hand back quickly, with her pointer finger producing blood along a thin line. "Ouch!" she squeaked. Whatever it was, it was razor-sharp.
"Here, allow me, dear," Ms. Slambert said and gently pulled away the wrapping. Alex took a sharp intake of breath in awe. There, in front of her, was a spear of tremendous beauty. The whole weapon from butt to point must have been six feet long and made of silver-steel alloy. The spear was entirely silver, except for the green grips along the shaft. Alex noticed, upon closer inspection that the weapon had swirling silver tornados etched into the shaft like her father's spear. The blade's point was fine and thin, broadening out as it neared the point of connection and just below the point were two sharp wings in both directions, right and left. Alex realized she had cut herself on one of the wings.
"Do you like it?" Ms. Slambert asked.
Alexandra picked up her gift and felt an electric charge surge through her. She seized her old friend in a mighty hug of sheer joy. "Oh Ms. Slambert, this is gorgeous! I love it so much!" she said in delight.
Ms. Slambert smiled softly as she watched Alexandra dance around the room with it. "Take good care of it, it was Servi's."
Alex stopped immediately to stare at her friend in disbelief.
"It was Servi's spear, he carried it everywhere. When he died it was passed on to Lavitz, but Lavitz never used it, to him it was a momento to a precious memory. The one Lavitz carried was given to your father. Goddess knows the thing has been sitting in the storage room forever," she said in explanation. Alex immediately recognized her friend's sadness, telling her this undoubtedly brought back painful memories for her.
"Wow, this spear is a precious thing then. Why give it to me?" she asked quietly.
"Servi and Lavitz both would have wanted someone who appreciates it to have it. Both would have definitely loved you if they met you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see the same strength, the same passion in you that they had. So I thought it would only be fitting to give the spear to you," the old woman explained.
Alex was touched down to her heart. "You . . .you really mean that?" she asked, almost in tears. Ms. Slambert nodded. "Saying what you don't mean is a man thing."
Both she and Alex laughed. A thought suddenly occurred to Alex. "But, Ms. Slambert I don't know if my father or Tiydus would let me keep this."
"I'd like to see them try to take it away from you. It was a gift, so it would dishonor either of them to do so," the old woman laughed.
There was another knock on the door and Alex quickly shoved the gift and wrapping under her bed and its long covers as Queen Emille, dressed for the ball in one of her most beautiful gowns entered the room.
"Oh Gracie, here you are. Albert and I were wondering where you had gotten to. Alex, angel, you look wonderful. I've come to take you to the ball," the Queen informed.
"I'll be down shortly, you go ahead Alex dear," Ms. Slambert affirmed. "Them stairs aren't any easier going down than going up. It'll take me a while," she explained.
Queen Emille looked at her. "Would you like one of the knights to escort you, Gracie?" she asked kindly.
The old woman shook her head. "I think I'll manage by myself. Although, thank you dear Emille. Have fun Alex sweetie, see you soon," Ms. Slambert answered and gave Alex a kiss on the cheek, which she returned.
Alex took her mother's hand and together, escorted by many guards, they went down to the ballroom. They paused outside the entrance, waiting to be announced. Through a small crack in the door Alex could see that the ball had already begun and that many, many people were attending. Although public or crowded functions weren't new to Alexandra, she still couldn't help but feel slightly nervous.
"Oh you should have seen Dart and Shana, they were so cute. Tiydus and Remus too, both of them are very handsome tonight," Emille said with a wink.
"Cut it out mom," Alex said in response to her mother's teasing. "Where's dad?" she asked.
A sudden breath down the back of her neck made the princess jump. "Right behind you, silly," came King Albert's warm voice. "Did I scare you?" he asked, making his daughter smile.
"Just a little," she admitted truthfully.
Albert grinned. "I want you to have fun tonight. You and Tiydus both. Your mother and Shana have both worked hard to put this together. Let's try to have a peaceful evening," the King said inclusively.
Alex sighed. Her father was still upset about the previous day.
There came a blaring roar from trumpets and the melody from the door beyond severed as theme music for the royal family's entrance. Queen Emille took King Albert's arm as they were announced.
"HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, KING ALBERT AND HER ROYAL GRACE, QUEEN EMILLE!" the announcer beamed out. Alex heard a great multitude of clapping. She sighed as she was announced. "HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA!"
Two knights on either side held the door open for Alex as she walked into the dimly lit room. There was equally loud clapping as many eyes turned to her. She walked down the white marble staircase and was dismayed by what awaited her at the end. Pierre stood there. She reached bottom and for a moment, just stared at him reproachfully.
"Your highness," he said with a bow. "May I have the first dance?" he asked.
Alex was just about to deny his request, when she saw Tiydus, or at least his face approaching among the crowd. "Fine," she said quickly.
Pierre put his arm around her waist and she did the same, although with great detestment. The band, lead by Ester, played a gentle waltz. Alex didn't even bother to look at Pierre, she looked around instead. She saw many faces she recognized, and quite a few she didn't. There were, among the guests, Connie Page, the librarian, and her family; Sir Gyr and the members of the seventh knighthood; Sir Thomas, Sir Irwin and his family, along with the rest of the 6th knighthood; Sir Hank Franoda; Gracie Slambert's adopted family; Dart and Shana of course, and many people from Seles to name a few.
Pierre, Alex realized, seemed to be in some amount of pain and she realized that she was indeed standing directly on his toes. The young princess apologized in an empty tone just as the song ended and stepped away. In her opinion, it was justice, Pierre deserved it. Alex couldn't see Tiydus and it worried her; she still wasn't ready to talk to him.
Luckily, she was spared once more. Maggie ran up to her with her braided hair trailing behind her. "Princess!" she called.
Alexandra turned to face the little lady, whom was wearing a cream-colored gown that matched her mother's.
"Maggie, how are you?" Alex asked with a smile. "I'm sorry our last visit had to end so abruptly, and I also apologize for leaving like I did," she said. She had in truth, been worried that Irwin's daughter might have been upset with her, and was relieved to see that the little girl seemed happy.
"Oh, I understand Princess. Daddy said sometimes you might have to go do something else right away. Besides, it was totally amazing, the way you fought that bandit! I didn't know you could fly, Princess," she said in awe.
Alexandra looked away. "Neither did I," she admitted. At that moment, Alex came up with an idea. "Why don't you have a dance with me as my apology," the princess suggested.
Maggie gazed up at her shyly.
"What's the matter?" Alex asked gently.
Maggie blushed. "I don't know how to dance, Princess," she said embarrassedly.
Alex giggled softly. "Oh that's alright. Come on, I'll teach you," she offered.
Maggie was hesitant. "What if somebody laughs at me?" she said timidly.
Alex looked at her reassuringly. "Nobody will laugh at you, I promise. They'll have to answer to me if they do," she encouraged.
Maggie turned her attention to the dance floor. "But people are laughing at Mr. Remus and he's a good dancer," she insisted.
Alex followed her gaze across the ballroom floor, where she spotted Remus in his blue formal wear being frantically chased by a flock of no less than fifteen young women in their bright array of gown colors. Despite herself, Alex began laughing.
"See," Maggie protested.
"Yes but if you knew him better, that would be funny to you too," Alex giggled while shaking her head.
Ester struck up the band and a spicy tango began to play. Almost instinctively, Maggie was rocking to the beat. Alex smiled.
"Come on, this is a good one," she requested.
Maggie smiled too and accepted Alex's hand. Alex pulled Maggie out into the center of the floor and slowly began teaching her young friend where to place her feet. Not surprisingly, Maggie learned fast and soon Alex was teaching her hand placements and spins. Alexandra's back was beginning to hurt as she hunched over to hold her friend's small hands in her own. But, she was content to see her having fun. Several people had stopped to watch with a few 'Awws' and 'Isn't that cutes'. Several more people had spun aside to allow Maggie's not quite perfect kicking. As the song reached its climax and was about to end, Alex saw Remus run by and grabbed Maggie, pulling her into a dip just in time to avoid Remus' fan club smashing into them and knocking them over.
Maggie giggled as the song ended and Alex pulled her up. "That was fun, can we do it again?" she asked.
Alexandra was about to agree when the ballroom lights suddenly dimmed and several of the chandelier's overhead candles were put out. Ester stepped forward from his place at the band stand. Since the dimming of the lights, he already held everyone's attention. However, he still performed the customary tapping of his fork on his Champaign glass.
"Attention, can I please have everyone's attention? Good. Thank you. It is my pleasure to announce that this next dance will be a slightly lower caliber, and as this ball is to honor the wedding of our very own Princess Alexandra to the Lord Tiydus Feld of Seles, this next dance will be couples only to one of our finest, and softest pieces." Ester took his seat and signaled the band to begin.
Alex still didn't see Tiydus through the crowd, but she knew he was trying to find her. Before she knew what had happened, she had been seized by the knees.
"Save me! Please!" Remus begged in sincerity from the ground. His blue eyes gazed at her pleadingly and pitifully. Alexandra shook her head in laughter and looked to Maggie at her side.
"What do you think? Should I save him?" she said teasingly.
Remus clasped his hands together. "Mercy!" he pleaded desperately.
Maggie giggled. "You're funny, Mr. Remus. You should help him Princess. I'll see you later," she said happily and skipped away.
"Here they come!" Remus said, panting for breath.
Alexandra grabbed his shoulder and pulled him up just as the group of ladies spotted him.
"Oh Mr. Remus dance with me please!" a woman in a red dress begged.
"Or me, Mr. Remus, please!" said one in a pink gown.
"Or perhaps, me?" one in ice blue said.
"Only after me!" one in orange remarked.
"Ladies—I—please—well—Alex!" he said desperately.
Alexandra stepped in front of him.
"Oh, your highness," the all said together respectfully.
"Excuse me ladies, but I believe I promised Lord Remus a dance. Would it be alright by all of you if I have a dance with my future brother-in-law?" she asked politely, knowing that they wouldn't dare deny her.
"Of course, your highness," said the woman in red.
"Why ever not?" added the one in orange. The rest nodded in agreement.
"Thank you," Alex replied and led Remus by his arm out onto the dance floor.
"Thanks," he sighed in deep gratitude as she put her arm around his waist and he on hers.
"Oh, you're welcome," she said simply.
"Have you seen Tiydus yet? He was looking for you, he wants to talk to you," Remus said as they danced.
"No," Alex answered hotly, "he's probably just going to yell at me again."
Remus locked eyes with her. "Why would he? He feels bad enough for yelling at you in the courtyard. He spent all night last night outside your door trying to apologize. I'm pretty sure you heard him," Remus replied.
"I heard him," she said flatly.
Remus sighed. "You're still upset, aren't you? Well he's upset too; Tiydus was upset when you didn't talk to him last night, he thinks you aren't speaking to him at all anymore."
The princess sighed too. "I don't like what he said. I'm just me Remus, that's all I can be," she said quietly.
Remus nodded. " And I understand that and so does Tiydus. He doesn't really want you to change, he wants circumstances around you to become safer. My brother cares greatly for you, Alex. We both know that. Just give him a chance," Remus said softly.
Alex looked away, breaking their eye contact. "He gave my father his word that I wouldn't fight anymore. He's demanded that my guard never leave me and now I have no privacy," she said.
Remus shook his head. "He didn't promise that you'd never fight again, he promised that he wouldn't spar you again," the redheaded brother corrected.
"It's still just as bad!" she protested.
"Would you rather have gotten your father's punishment? I'm sure it would have been worse. Tiydus stuck his neck out for you, you know," Remus reminded.
Alex sighed. "I know."
The song ended and Remus took her hands in his. "We've been friends forever Alex, so just trust me. Talk to Tiydus, it won't be bad, you'll see," he requested and kissed her hands. By this time king Albert had made his way over. Remus bowed respectfully to them both.
"Alex. King Albert," he acknowledged and took his leave.
Serdio's princess turned to her father. "Father," she said politely and he smiled.
Albert smiled too. "Care to have a dance with your old man?" he asked.
Alex shrugged. "Sure. Why not?" she answered and took her father's hand. She and Albert bowed to each other, and then began waltzing.
"So how was your dance with Tiydus?" Albert asked.
"That was Remus," Alex answered.
Albert looked confused. "So you didn't dance with Tiydus yet? Why not?" he inquired further.
"I can't find him; I've only seen him once all night. Remus had been with him, but he got chased off by a crowd of girls. I just rescued him," she informed.
King Albert smirked. "Well he is a handsome and admirable man, as is Tiydus. I just wanted to let you know that your mother and I couldn't be more proud of you. Alex, we realize all this has been quite sudden, and that maybe you are still taking it all in, but the point is you are taking it well. You are finally learning to accept responsibility. I know you may not be able to see it now, but this really is in your best interest and the best interest of Serdio. I love you, kiddo," he said regally and kissed his daughter's cheek.
Alex however closed her eyes to prevent tears from falling. She knew what was in her best interest and that was what was in her heart. And that was not this. Maybe it was best for the kingdom, but not for her. She had finally made her father proud, but it was not by being true to her heart, merely a façade that she was putting on in an attempt to hold it together. This, all of this, was tearing her apart from the inside.
When she opened her eyes, Tiydus was making his way towards them. He did indeed look handsome as her mother had said in his gold, form-fitting attire, however his hair had been gelled tightly down so it was completely flat and fell back to his shoulders. He looked like a man Alex had seen in Dart and Shana's house in one of their paintings named Zieg. No wonder she hadn't seen him, she was used to his bright, spiky, and unruly hair. He had also removed his headband which he was never seen without, so she could see his bare forehead.
Tiydus' bright blue eyes locked on her, making Alex blink. He looked so different. Tiydus tapped King Albert's shoulder to gain his attention. When both Albert and Alex were looking at him, he bowed, more out of habit than anything else.
"Your majesty, your highness," he said firstly to give respects.
Albert looked to Tiydus. "Ah, there you are Tiydus. You're dressed on occasion quite well," he complemented.
Tiydus gave a respectful nod. "May I cut in?" he requested.
Albert looked to Alex and then nodded back. "Of course." Albert kissed his daughter's hands then left towards where Queen Emille was speaking with several women of nobility, leaving Alex and Tiydus alone.
Tiydus smiled at her, or grinned rather. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
Alex didn't say anything, but took his hand. He pulled her close and they began to turn slowly. For a while neither said a word, but stared at each other. Finally, with Remus' request on her mind, Alex spoke. Apparently Tiydus had a similar impulse and they spoke at the same time.
"Sorry," Tiydus said with an apologetic smirk.
Alexandra nodded. "It's fine. So where have you been all night?" the princess inquired "and what happened to your hair?" she added. Curiousity was getting the better of her, especially since Tiydus never put gel in his hair.
Tiydus chuckled. "Oh, Pierre caught me on my way to see you after you two danced. He said my hair was 'unruly like a mercenary sword and must be tamed in a manner suitable for a royal palace'," Tiydus said in a tone mocking Pierre's. "So he took me up to the parlor and practically dumped a container of gel on my head. Soa have mercy, I have a new respect for you Alex, and the patience it takes to go through all that," Tiydus explained.
Through her discomfort, Alex managed a small laugh. "Pierre got a hold of you too? Well, at least you don't have to go through the makeup," she assured comically.
"Thank God," Tiydus smiled.
"So what were you going to say?" Alex asked.
"First. I was going to tell you that you look lovely tonight, not that it's anything unusual. You look beautiful every day," he said in sincerity, making Alex blush. "Secondly, I was going to apologize for—"
Alex nodded. "It's fine Tiydus. Don't worry about it," she assured.
Tiydus' cerulean eyes gave the feel that he was hurt by her statement. "No, it's not fine. I shouldn't have yelled yesterday. And I didn't mean what I said, I like you just the way you are," he said looking her in the eyes.
"No you don't," she whispered.
Tiydus apparently heard her and looked hurt by her remark. He cupped his hand under her chin and raised her head to look at him. "What did you say?" he asked in disbelief.
Alex pulled away. "I said you don't like the way I am. If you did then you—oh nevermind—it doesn't matter anyhow."
Tiydus' gaze peered into her. "It does matter. You're obviously upset, why don't we go somewhere private and talk," he suggested.
Tiydus twirled behind one of the many green curtains that had been draped over the many palace windows to ensure privacy with Alex in his arms. Behind this particular curtain was one of the castle's highest balconies. This specific balcony, Alex noted, was the one that you could see all of Bale, the viewing balcony. She and Tiydus were completely alone, and the only lights were the stray rays of candlelight from the ballroom and the dull glow of the stars.
Tiydus released her and brought his back to rest against the white marble railing. Alex put her hands on the railing and looked out over Bale and into Serdio beyond. Her father's words 'it's in the best interest of the kingdom' echoed in her ears. Tiydus stood watching her for a moment, then moved beside her.
"What's troubling you, Alex? Why did you say you don't believe me?" he asked in concern.
Alex sighed. "Because you deny me my dream too. I like to fight and spar, and you've forbidden me to do both. If I were to take your sword and tell you that you couldn't fight anymore, wouldn't you be upset too? If someone told you your dreams were wrong to desire?" she said at last.
Tiydus shook his head. "I never said your dreams were wrong. I just don't want you to get hurt, Alex. I've said it before and I mean it, I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you. You know I've never broken my word before and I promised to take care of you. That bandit would have killed you," he said quietly.
"So one mistake makes you lose all confidence in me?" she said pitifully.
"No, but one mistake in battle can cost you your life Alex. You know this. I'd rather see you safe, than in harm's way. You want to fight to be a defender of your country? I admire that, I truly do. However, putting yourself in danger, seeking out a fight, putting yourself in danger just because someone wronged you is not defense but revenge. Yesterday you acted as an avenger, Alex, that bandit didn't attack you when you went after him. You defend something when someone else attacks you and you fight back. The fight comes to you, not the other way around. Revenge is a dangerous thing Alex. It destroys both parties involved eventually. Dad taught me that, and he learned it from Lavitz. I thought you might want to know that, seeing as you've always admired the stories of Lavitz," he said gently.
He was right and Alex knew it. What she had done yesterday wasn't justified, it was vengeance. But she also knew, deep in her heart, that she hadn't fought just for the knight that had fallen, but also out of a desire to prove herself. She knew that she had been selfish and irresponsible and was ashamed.
"I was wrong. But do you really want me never to fight again?" she asked.
" I gave my word to your father, Alex and it would greatly dishonor both of us to go against his wishes. But I have the feeling that he will eventually change his mind. When everything settles down, that is after we get married and after they've rounded up all the bandits, I'm sure he'll let you go back to having sparring matches and things," he said, though with a tone of regret. "But just because I said you couldn't fight didn't mean that I don't want you to. I want you to have whatever makes you happy, but unfortunately right now I can't give you what you want so badly. Do you know why I yelled at you yesterday?" Tiydus asked.
"Because you thought I was being irresponsible?" she answered with a frown.
Tiydus shook his head. "No. I was yelling because I was scared. Scared of losing you. I just saw that bandit get you by the throat and nothing else mattered but getting to you. When it was all over I was so relieved. I just wasn't thinking straight, I was more upset at the situation and mad at myself for not being there to protect you. Remus and I would give our lives for you, you know," he admitted.
Alex nodded. "I'd do the same for either of you two, you two have always been my best friends. Tiydus, you do realize that by marrying me you'll be sacrificing your freedom and your dreams," she answered.
"My dream is to be with you," he said simply.
Alex was confused and also a bit frustrated. She was hoping she could dissuade him from marrying her. She knew she couldn't marry him as she looked into his eyes. He was, and always had been, her brother. She cared for him, she'd die for him, but he was her family, not her lover. If she stayed, Alex knew she'd spend the rest of her life in misery, but if she left she'd be betraying everyone she's ever loved. Tohan had been right; she needed time and a quiet place to think before she made any big decision. The only problem was how to tell Tiydus. She tried again.
"When you're prince, you'll eventually have to take my father's place as king. You'll be the king of Serdio. Do you actually want to have nation rely on your every word? Think of the pressure," she reminded.
Tiydus looked out over the countryside for a while then put his arm around Alex's waist. She shivered in unease as he pulled her closer in a sort of half-hug.
"I realize that. Your father has already spoken to me about it. I understand the obligations and the sacrifices. I've thought about it for a long time and I am willing to take them. Besides, you're acting as if I'll be alone in all of this. I'll have you, won't I?" he asked with a goofy grin.
Alex sighed. "Yes you will. But why?" she asked suddenly.
Tiydus laughed. "Do you really have to ask?" he answered. He picked her head up to look at him. His expression was more delicate than she had ever seen it. She could even smell his sweet breath with as close as he was getting. She was starting to feel her stomach knot from nervousness or anticipation, she couldn't tell which.
"Enlighten me," she said weakly.
Tiydus gave his usual, kind smile. "Well, I have one more thing to say."
"What's that?" Alex asked in a small voice.
"I love you, Alexandra. I have since we were little. That's why sometimes I would act the way I do, like a goofy idiot, it was my way of trying to tell you. If you don't believe me I'll do anything in the world to prove it to you," he said in the utmost sincerity Alex had ever heard from him.
Alex felt herself go weak in the knees. "You . . .love me?" she whispered, half in shock.
Tiydus simply nodded and before she could react he brushed his soft, warm lips against hers and held her close. Alex's heart and head were racing. She didn't know what to do. She was thoroughly relieved to hear her mother calling for her, just as she was about to faint from all the emotion.
She quickly but gently pushed back on Tiydus' chest and pulled away from his kiss. Tiydus opened his eyes, and she turned away swiftly.
"I have to go," she said quickly and left without waiting for his response, she ran past the curtain into the ballroom. The feeling of Tiydus' kiss still lingered on her lips as she raced around in a half-daze trying to find her mother. Luckily, Emille found her.
"Alexandra there you are," the queen announced.
The queen's daughter turned to face her. "I heard you calling," she said.
Emille nodded.
"Your father and I didn't see you anywhere, we just wanted to know where you were," Emille replied. The Queen's face suddenly turned into one of concern. "What's wrong Alex? You look really pale," she asked.
Alex rubbed her head. "I don't feel well. Mom, may I retire?" she asked, head still reeling.
Emille sighed. "I don't see why not. You obviously won't have much fun if you're sick," Emille reasoned.
Alex nodded. "Thanks mom."
Emille took her daughter gently by the arm. "Come, I'll go with you."
On the way up to the tower Emille was talking with her daughter about the wedding that was to take place the next day. Alex however, was hardly listening.
"And Dart and Shana of course will be at the dinner ceremony. Remus too. Have you decided what you'll do in your reflection time?" Emille asked. "Alex?" Emille asked again.
The princess turned to her mother. "Hmm?" she mumbled.
Emille shook her head playfully. "Daydreaming about your prince? I asked if you'd considered how you're going to use your reflection time," Emille repeated, bringing Alex back to reality.
"Oh. My reflection time. I haven't really thought about it to tell you the truth. Isn't that the point of a reflection? To think? I don't know what I'll be thinking tomorrow," Alex answered.
Emille nodded. "Well, that's true I suppose." Emille, as Alex knew, was talking about the long –standing wedding tradition of Serdio. In the kingdom of Serdio it was custom at weddings that the bride have an hour of reflection alone before the ceremony. During that time, the groom and father of the bride were to spend an hour getting to know each other. A few more minutes found them in Alexandra's room, as Emille tucked her daughter in. Alex bade her mother goodnight as she fell fast asleep trying to dream away her troubles.
The next morning came sooner than anyone expected and handmaidens of all sorts were up with the cock's crow and crowding into Alex's room. To Alex's surprise, Delori and several other castle handmaidens were present along with Grundette and Pierre's assistants as well. Even with all of them pushing and shoving at every inch of Alexandra's body it still took four hours for her to be completely ready.
Once Alex was dressed in her magnificent gown, shoes and veil, and her hair and makeup had been done, her mother was called in. Queen Emille was absolutely breath taken at the sight of her beautiful daughter and nodded her approval.
A standing mirror was brought forth so that Alex could glance at her reflection. She nodded wordlessly. Throughout the whole morning, Alex hadn't spoken a word. She realized at last the full effect of what was going to take place and she knew there was nothing she could say or do to prevent it. Her decision had been made for her and it was the biggest one of her life.
The ceremony was about to begin in only an hour and a half and it was just as all the servants were leaving her room that Remus came scurrying up the stairs with a large package under his arm. The guards denied him entry at first, but Alex let him in. Once in, Alex closed the door and turned to gaze into Remus' gently smiling face.
"What?" she insisted.
"You look so beautiful," Remus answered.
Alex blushed slightly. "You don't look so bad yourself," she replied, eyeing Remus' formal attire.
Remus gave a sarcastic bow before unfolding the parcel he carried. Inside the box was the breastplate he ordered for her. "It just came in this morning. Seeing as it's your wedding gift, I wanted you to have it before you got married," Remus informed.
Alex had been so excited about Remus' gift before, but now she was reluctant to take it. "I don't deserve it," she said pessimistically.
Remus gave her an odd look. "Why not?"
Alex sighed. "I guess I don't feel comfortable about receiving this from you as a wedding gift," she admitted truthfully.
Remus grinned. "Nervous? Tiydus is so nervous he didn't eat this morning. You know it's bad when you won't accept a present and he won't eat when he usually devours the pantry," Remus laughed.
Alex just stared at him and he shook his head. "Then just take it as a gift to honor our friendship," the flame-haired twin insisted.
Alex nodded. "I can do that. Thank you Remus," she said at last.
Remus and the princess exchanged a hug before he took the wrapping and left. As he was on his way out, Ms. Slambert was on the way in. Remus paused at the door.
"Seems this place is popular," he joked before leaving.
Ms. Slambert closed the princess' door after herself, then looked Alex over. A ginger, sincere smile crept across the woman's face, the first Alex had seen in a long while. "You look so much like your mother, you are as beautiful as she is, but you have Albert's chin and his hair. Everything about you reflects one of them strongly, except your eyes. Your eyes are those of your grandfather Carlos. If he could see you now, he'd be as proud as I am. I can only imagine how impressed Albert and Emille are. You're gorgeous, Alex dear, and I just wanted to tell you to be strong and that I know you'll make me proud. I only wish I could have seen Lavitz marry, but having you as a friend has renewed my hope and put joy back into my soul again," she said touching Alex's cheek. "I just wanted you to know that," the old woman added with tears in her eyes. A guard knocked on the door, signaling it was time for Ms. Slambert to leave and Alexandra's hour of reflection to start. It was with a heavy heart that she watched her friend go, she felt as if everything she had ever cared for was being torn away from her. For the first act of reflection, normal wives-to-be usually started by gazing into a mirror. Alex guessed that she's do that first.
Alex pulled her veil back as she stood in front of her body mirror. Even she couldn't deny she looked beautiful. Everything about her was beautiful, except her eyes. She could see her own misery clearly in her eyes. Alex just stood looking at herself and after five minutes she came to one conclusion. She loved her parents, but they were punishing her. In her opinion, she had failed them as a princess and a daughter for them to be doing this to her. She found it was painful to look into her own emerald eyes and turned away.
Moments later, the princess was startled when Holly flew through her window, carrying something in her beak with great care. Alex gazed at her messenger roc. "Holly? Why are you here?" she asked in confusion.
The big bird simply held out her leg with a noted attached. Alex removed the small bit of parchment with read Love, Martel, before Holly dropped the object in her beak into the princess' hands. The object had been a small doll, carved roughly out of wood. It was a crude portrayal of a woman holding a stick that was sharp at the end. Alex inspected the doll more closely and found that several grooves had been cut into the doll's body to resemble armor. Alex also noticed that attached to the doll's head were several strands of sandy-blonde colored grass. It took Serdio's princess only a moment to realize what Martel had made a carving of, undoubtedly with help from Tohan. It was a carving of her . . .as a knight.
Alexandra saw a water stain in the carpet below and realized that she was freely crying. The teenager picked her head up and glanced out the back window of her room. She saw a small white figure along the timberline behind Indels and knew it was Kamuy. Just as Tohan had promised Kamuy was there. Holly had brought the girt from Kamuy. Alex took another look at the doll in her hands, then closed her eyes. She would never be truly alive . . .
"I can't do this," she whispered at last, still producing salty tears. "Holly, I'm going to need you, wait here," Alex instructed. Serdio's princess quickly rummaged around under her bed and pulled out an old blanket, her spear, the breastplate that Remus had given her, the riding clothes Tiydus had bought for her, and the diary in giganto characters.
"where is it?" Alex mumbled as she raced to her closet and searched through it quickly. "Come on," she muttered to herself. She was about to give up on it after she had searched her dresser for her missing possession. Holly gave a short chirp from above her wardrobe and pushed a small, leather bag off the top.
Alex smiled. "Thanks Holly," she said and swiftly grabbed the bag. Alex began unceremoniously shoving objects from under her bed into the bag. Once she was finished, she raced to her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of well-hidden leather boots. When she was done, all she had left out was her soon to be attire and her spear.
The young princess began frantically trying to undo the ties of her dress, succeeding only to become more entangled in it. Alex glanced at her clock, half the hour had already passed. Alex looked around quickly and grabbed her spear. Without so much as a second thought, she ran the blade across the back of her dress. Within seconds, the wedding gown fell to the floor off her body along the clean cut. Alex threw off all her fancy undergarments, leaving only the basic ones and quickly redressed herself in the more ordinary clothes Tiydus had bought her. Secondly, the threw on her boots, then fastened her breastplate on over her shirt. Alex reached for her bag when Holly chirped again. The roc held a long, green traveling cape in her beak.
Alex took the cloak with a nod and shut her closet doors. Once she put the cape on, she turned to Holly again. "Alright Holly. I need to ask you for a favor. Can you carry me out to the bottom of the tower?" Alex asked as she would ask another human being.
The large bird tilted her head to the side, surveying Alexandra. Alex knew that in addition to being highly intelligent, rocs could carry great weights too, some even up to a quarter ton. However, Alex knew Holly's wing had just begun healing from an arrow wound.
After a minute or so, Holly gave a reassuring chirp. Alex sighed in relief.
" Oh thank you Holly, let's go," she said. Holly fluttered out of the window and lingered there for a moment, waiting, as Alexandra ducked onto her window sill. The young lady gulped as she looked down, it was a long way. Holly gave a squawk and lowered her feet in front of Alex's face. Alexandra gulped again and grabbed Holly's left foot with her left hand, which also carried her spear. She grasped the bird's right foot with her right hand. Holly locked her taloned feet in a grip around Alex's wrists as Alex grabbed Holly more tightly.
Without warning, Holly surged forward, pulling Alexandra off her window sill. Alex muffled her own scream by biting her tongue and closed her eyes, as to her horror, they were losing altitude. Alex couldn't look, she was afraid they'd already hit and she was dead, when she felt them level off. The next moment, Holly squawked, and Alex opened her eyes. Holly was gazing back at her with sharp bird's eyes. Alex saw that Holly's wing were flapping at a steady pace, and that now they were flying through the air. The princess gave a sigh of relief and instructed Holly to drop her off at the back of the castle, because she knew that the front of the castle was brimming over with bystanders and guests. The rest of the ride was smooth and the wind raced over Alex's body as they flew. Alex knew that she would have thoroughly enjoyed the experience if circumstances had been different.
Within minutes, Holly landed and Alex could see Kamuy's massive white frame approaching. The princess gave Holly a large hug, then pulled a piece of paper from her pocket that she had written while still in her room. She removed the dragon necklace that Tiydus had given her, and handed it to Holly.
"Take it to his room. It's on the third floor," she instructed as she sent the roc away. Kamuy reached her and Alex smiled and scratched Kamuy's ears, which were level with her eyes in greeting. "Hello, Kamuy, it's good to see you too," she laughed as Kamuy extended a large, slobbering wet tongue and began licking her face swiftly.
After a few minutes of greetings, the princess pushed the wolf away gently, and squatted down about an inch so that she was eye to eye with the gigantic wolf. "Kamuy, I need you to take me to Tohan. I want to come back with you," she said slowly, trying to make her hairy white friend understand, even though he was as smart, if not smarter than Holly.
Kamuy panted at first with his large, pink tongue out, then sank to his knees as Alex had seen him do to Martel. "Thanks a million, Kamuy!" she said happily and hugged him.
Alex walked around to Kamuy's side and sighed in profound relief to herself. She had managed to escape without being seen. Kamuy's ears suddenly perked, and with a low whine, he turned his furry head to look behind them. Alex heard it too, and she stopped to listen. It was the sound of voices, and they were nearby.
The princess of Serdio hurriedly finished climbing onto Kamuy's back and urged him forward. Kamuy started walking at a relaxed pace, and remained doing so for several minutes. Alex closed her eyes then leaned slightly back. She was just about to relax when she heard the voices again.
"Well, it has certainly been a pleasure to talk with you, Tiydus. I think a walk was just the trick to cool your nerves. Say, look. Something's moving over there."
Alex snapped her eyes wide open in horror. That was her father's voice.
"It's a wolf! Look, a white one! Wait, it's got something on his back. Wha—ALEX!?" she heard Tiydus' voice yell. She snapped her head in response to her name and met Tiydus' cerulean eyes only fifty feet from her.
"Alex? Tiydus what are you—" King Albert stopped midsentence when he saw the sight for himself. "ALEXANDRA!" he yelled loudly.
For a moment, Alex just gazed back in horror at her father and Tiydus in their formal attire as they stared back at her in her not so formal clothing.
"ALEX!" Tiydus shouted again, and started towards them.
"Run Kamuy!" Alex begged quickly and in panic. Kamuy did as commanded and broke out in a swift, dead run. Tiydus' eyes were just about as wide as Alex's own as he too started running.
"ALEX, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He yelled at the top of his lungs in a confused voice.
Albert began running too. "ALEXANDRA STOP THIS INSTANT!" the king shouted.
Alex turned away to face front again, as both Tiydus and her father faded behind the trees. Kamuy was running too swiftly for them to keep up with.
The next thing the young princess knew, there came a flash from behind her and the wind began to race. Alex heard her father's voice yell from behind her, calling her name as loud as thunder. Alex turned around, and she saw something even the ancient winglies had feared. A dragoon. Not only was it a dragoon that was closing in, soaring on emerald dragon's wings, it was her father, King Albert, the Jade dragoon who commanded the winds.
The king began to yell more loudly as he came closer. "ALEXANDRA DIANE STARWIND! I DEMAND YOU STOP RIGHT NOW! THIS IS ENTIRELY DISHONORABLE!" By this time, he was close enough to grab Kamuy's tail.
Alex leaned forward with tears born of shame and fear on her face. "KAMUY! KAMUY PLEASE RUN FASTER!" she said desperately into the white wolf's ears. "OH PLEASE DON'T LET HIM CATCH US!" she cried in terror to her white friend.
Kamuy gave a powerful lurch forward and began running so fast everything was a blur. However, carried on the wings of the wind, King Albert was still faster. The dragoon king soared beside them. Alex looked ahead; they were approaching a canyon and the end of the wood. Beyond, she knew from her geography lessons, lay the river Nirex. Alex wasn't sure Kamuy could make the jump and even if he could her father was going to snatch them right out of the air. They were trapped.
Albert reached out an ornately armored hand, reaching for his daughter. Alex pulled back as far as she could, but it was no use. The princess could only gaze in terror as her father stretched out to seize her. Then there came a flash of bright light, green light, like Alexandra had seen before. A green crystal suddenly became visible on her father's chest as it absorbed the glow . . .and his armor.
Alex watched in shock as her father's wings disappeared also. For one brief second that seemed like eternity, the green crystal, shining like the sun, rolled across the air itself, towards Alexandra. The princess looked at her father, and found he was falling away. Before Alex could react, or understand why she acted, she opened her hand. As if compelled by some unseen force, the crystal flew into her grasp.
King Albert had landed nimbly in a kneeling position, and as he looked up, a bright glow enveloped Alexandra from the crystal in her hand. Alex felt a powerful surge throughout her body, but light as well. The power was calming, so she embraced it. The light from the crystal died away as she did so, just as Kamuy made a spring into the air, powered by his hind legs. As they landed on the other side of the canyon, Alex saw her father staring back at her from the trees, with a look of bewildered disbelief. Alex turned away once more as Kamuy rode out of sight, clenching her fist over the emerald gem in her hand. What had just occurred?
Kamuy and Alexandra rode on for the rest of the day and made it to the Serdian prairie after nightfall. Normally, it would have been a three day journey in a carriage procession, but Kamuy had moved much faster and more precisely than a carriage stallion and also wasn't pulling as much weight. Kamuy finally stopped when he reached a large waterfall, which Alex recognized almost immediately. The princess could see that Kamuy was thirsty and tired so she dismounted. She was tired too and her arm hurt from carrying her spear.
A small and hyper voice rang out with so much energy to Alexandra it should have been a crime. "Kamuy! Kamuy!" It was unmistakably Martel's voice.
Sure enough, seconds later the small girl raced into view and tackled the white wolf, whom had been lapping up water. Kamuy didn't seem to mind the interruption though, he gave Martel a big, slobbery kiss and went back to drinking.
"Silly puppy," she giggled and hugged the wolf's leg, being far too short to reach his tall neck. "Puppy, Mr. Tohan says you're late," she continued. "he thought you got lost. Silly doggie, he was worried. I missed you. Did you give miss Alex my present?" she piped.
Kamuy lifted his face from the water to look at Alex.
"Whacha lookin' at?" Martel said playfully and looked too. The small girl squeaked in surprise. "Miss Alex! What are you doing here?"
Alex smiled. "I asked Kamuy to bring me here, I missed you guys," she said with the exclusive truth.
Martel beamed. "Are you going to stay?" she asked excitedly.
Alex shrugged. "It depends on if I'd be troubling you or not," the princess admitted.
Martel ran up to her and hugged her around the waist. "You won't bother us! I missed you, Miss Alex! I was going to ask Mr. Tohan if we could come and visit! Did you get my present?" the small girl asked as Alex hugged her back.
The princess nodded. "I did. It was beautiful, thank you Martel."
Martel was about to say something, when Tohan's voice called out. "Martel? Martel, where did you go?"
The girl giggled. "We're playing hide-and-seek."
"Martel, I give up, now where are you?" Tohan said playfully from somewhere nearby.
Before the girl could reply, Kamuy had given a loud, excited bark and raced to greet his master. Kamuy jumped on Tohan and began feverishly licking him the instant he was in view.
"Help!" Tohan managed feebly, as he was drowning in slobber.
Martel shrieked with laughter, then raced to help him. "Kamuy, no!" she said sternly. Kamuy didn't budge, so Martel pulled a small bit of cheese out of her pocket and waved it in front of Kamuy's nose. "Sit!" Martel commanded, once she had gained Kamuy's crisp focus.
The wolf did as he was told, except he sat directly on top of Tohan. The young man wheezed. Martel threw the dog treat and Kamuy chased it, stepping on Tohan once more in the process. Martel looked down as Alex came over.
"Oops. Sorry Mr. Tohan," she admitted sheepishly.
Tohan just groaned. "Ow . . ."
Alex shook her head and helped him up. Tohan rubbed his auburn hair out of his eyes and then turned to look at Alexandra.
"Thanks—Oh! My lady Alex! What a pleasant surprise!" he said and bowed quickly. When he returned to normal positioning, he smiled. "It's good to see you; to what do we owe the honor?"
Alex, sighed. Where should she begin?
Martel answered for her. "She said she's come to stay with us, Mr. Tohan!" Martel said joyously.
Tohan looked at her, then at Alexandra. "Oh? Martel why don't you go prepare the table, it's dinner time. Set a plate for Alex too," he said.
Martel nodded and skipped away, happy to be of help.
Once she was gone, Alex sighed. "That's not the way I would have put it . . . " she said quietly.
"It's about your parents, isn't it?" Tohan asked after her long silence. "You ran away, didn't you?" he asked delicately.
Alex downcast her eyes. "Yes. Plainly speaking, I did. You said you'd welcome me here whenever, and in your letter you advised me to find a quiet place . . .I mean, I'll seek out another place if you won't have me," she said with guilt. She'd been selfish again, she hadn't even thought about what this might impose on Tohan.
Tohan however, was not offended or angry. "I did give you my word and I meant it. You are welcome here any time. You really look troubled, what else happened?" he asked.
Alex took a deep breath and sighed. "You'd think less of me," she said simply.
Tohan shook his head. "No I won't," he promised.
"Today was my wedding day," she admitted.
Tohan nodded. "I see. Well, I can see why you ran away. You never got a chance to think for yourself about it and your parents weren't listening to you," he said calmly.
"So you don't blame me?" she asked.
"No. I think anyone would have done the same thing. I don't think I could live like that. However, I don't really approve of you running away, but I see why you did," he admitted.
Alex knew he was going to turn her away. She turned away painfully.
"But, you're welcome to stay here until you're ready to go home. And if you'd like, I'll see if there's any way I can help you through this. Feel free to ask if you need me," he said in warm friendship.
Alex was touched. Not only did he just give her refuge, but fellowship as well when anyone else would have returned her to Indels. "Thank you, Tohan. This means a great deal to me," she said in utmost gratitude and hugged him fiercely.
Tohan hugged her back. "It's good to see you too," he laughed. "Come on, let's go eat. I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too after your trip. We'll talk about this later."