Chapter 6

Uncertainty

Ambrosia's eyes flickered open, staring up at the ceiling overhead. She turned her gaze to where Saionji sat, slumped against the windowsill, soft snores issuing from him. She sat up slowly, stretching out her arms.

A strange sound came to her ears, one she could not recall hearing in a long time. Drip, drip, drip, drip. She quickly rose and hurried over to the old doorway, staring in surprise out into the new day. Droplets of rainwater crawled free of the gutters, pattering softly across the ground as sunlight cut through the heavy clouds that had covered the land.

"Ah! Saionji get up! Come look outside!" She hurried over to her sleeping Prince, shaking his shoulders. "Come and see, the sun is shining!"

"Mommy, can't I sleep just a little longer?" Saionji mumbled, trying to roll away from the persistent girl, only to slip from where he lay, falling to the floor. "Ah! What's going on!?" He scrambled up off the floor, looking about at the room.

Ambrosia could hardly keep from giggling at Saionji's antics, covering her mouth to hide her smile. Trying to regain his dignity, Saionji straightened his coat, brushing himself off. "Ah, um, good morning, I see that you're awake."

Unable to keep her bearing any longer, Ambrosia burst into tearful laughter. "Did I say something funny?" Saionji asked, genuine confusion showing on his face.

"No, no, please forgive me, but I never expected you to be so wonderful." She said, reining in her cheer.

"I see," he replied, looking no less confused, "so what was it that you wanted me for?"

"Oh, I just wanted you to see the sunshine over the hills. Isn't it beautiful?" She gestured out to the glistening hillsides, where vast fields of wildflowers were beginning to bloom in the warm sunlight.

"Ah yes, it is quite lovely." Saionji replied, looking over them. "If I may ask, what is that up there?" He pointed at the large, green pavilion sitting upon one of the hills in the distance.

Ambrosia blinked her eyes, just to make sure she was seeing what he was pointing to. "I've never seen that before." She responded, her voice hinting at some uneasiness. "It must have been put up recently."

"I think I should go have a look at it." Saionji said, remembering his conversation with the old man. "You should stay here, just in case."

"No!" Saionji looked at Ambrosia with a start at her sudden aggression. Embarrassed at her own outburst, she turned away. "I, uh, I mean, w-we should really stick together. You're a stranger here, and I know the area. So, it would be advantageous for us to, you know, stay near each other..."

Saionji's expression softened at her words. I remember being alone. Back then, I would have given anything for a kind word or a little affection. I can't leave her alone, or else what would I be but a heartless man. "Very well, if you want to come with me, you may."

Overjoyed at his words, Ambrosia rushed up, throwing her arms about his high shoulders. "Oh thank you, thank you! You won't regret it!"

Saionji patted her back softly, smiling to himself. I hope I don't, for both our sakes.

***

"Nemo wait! Slow down!" Utena called after her charging friend, worry creasing her brow. Ever since he laid eyes on Conall, Nemo seemed to change. Gone was the sensible young man she knew, replaced by a fierce, determined beast. Unable to surmount the main door, he had raced around the base of the keep until he came to the kitchen entrance, bashing it aside with his shoulder.

Venturing a look back, Utena saw Anthy sitting in the grass, plucking the greenery from the ground. Deciding she didn't have time to question her friend, Utena hurried after Nemo, following in the wake of his destruction. Tables and kitchen tools were cast aside as Utena made her way through, her eyes catching glimpses of his back as he tore through the castle.

"Nemo! Nemo stop!" Her shouts proved to be vain as he continued to seek his brother, like a wolf hunting it's prey. A shout of terror reached Utena's ears, lending speed to her legs. She dashed through a smashed doorway just in time to see Nemo standing with his sword drawn, facing Conall, who was cringing against the far wall of the main hall.

"No, keep away you beast! Guards, guards! Kill him!" Conall shouted, his eyes wide in fear. In response, soldiers wearing black trench coats and tricorn hats came striding at the maddened Prince, their blades sliding menacingly from their sheaths.

With a snarl, Nemo rushed at them, parrying one while slamming bodily into the other, knocking him to the ground. Utena drew her sword, running up to block the path of more soldiers bearing down on Nemo. They advanced upon her, thrusting viciously at her head and chest, forcing her back step by step. Unable to hold her ground, Utena retreated a few paces, parrying their cruel blows. One blade found it's mark, slashing across her cheek, leaving a rivulet of blood crawling down her face.

The guard responsible sneered, drawing his blade for another attack. He gasped in surprise as another blade seemed to grow from his chest. "Nuwaah!" He slid to the ground, life pouring from his body as Ryan withdrew his sword. The other guard turned on him, followed by a yell of pain as Utena slashed across his neck. He fell to the floor, black blood gurgling from his throat.

"Miss Utena, what's wrong with Nemo?" Ryan asked, looking over at his Prince. Nemo rose quickly, leaving three dead around him, his eyes still glowing with battle light.

"I don't know, but it can't be good." Utena said, hurrying up to Nemo. She reached out as he advanced on Conall, a feral snarl upon his face. Whirling about like a storm, he threw Utena over, coming down on top of her with a fearsome roar.

Utena struggled to get loose, but Nemo held her firmly under him, his eyes burning into hers. She could feel the heat, the pulsating energy within his body, his grip, his eyes, an uncontrolled, wild power striving to get free. Leaning down, he licked her cheek, wiping it clean of blood. A strange, passionate fear filled her as she met his gaze, like a small animal looking up into the eyes of a predator. She could feel her heart throbbing, adrenaline pumping through her body. What is this!? What is he doing!? I have to escape, or he'll kill me! Pushing through her panic stricken instincts, she met his deep, animalistic gaze. "Nemo! Wake up!"

The blaze within Nemo's eyes dimmed for a moment, as if sanity was returning. He started to draw himself off her, the forest green shade replacing the blazing fire in his pupils. Then he howled in pain, the rage returning full force.

Conall backed away from his maddened brother, his sword red with blood. Dropping the weapon, he fell to the ground, covering his head. "No! Please, have mercy!"

Reacting quickly, Utena threw herself on Nemo's back, keeping him from killing his brother. "Ryan! Help me!" She commanded, bringing Ryan running up to help take hold of Nemo's thrashing body. They finally managed to wrestle him back, keeping him from his quarry.

Slowly, the fury burned out in him, giving his exhausted friends a chance to rest. Panting heavily, he looked over at them. "Utena, Ryan? What happened?" They looked at each other, then back at him.

"You don't remember?" Utena asked, surprise filling her voice.

"Only a little, but not much." Nemo replied, hanging his head. "Are you all right?"

Utena reached up brushing the fresh blood that pooled on her cut cheek away. She looked at him again, her body still quivering in fear. "Yeah, I think so."

Behind them, sitting against the wall, there sat a coil of rope.

***

Althea smiled as she watched from the upper floor of the main hall, her old crinkled face twisted in sordid pleasure at the sight of Prince Nemo's wild behavior. "Prince with no reflection, no name, no face, what shall I call you today." She whispered to herself gleefully.

Nemo was every bit as vulnerable as she thought he would be. Without a name to defend him, he would give in to whatever nature found itself rising within him, and he could be bent like a reed in a storm. Looking over at Conall, she shook her head mockingly. You should have been more useful to me, Conall. Maybe I would have spared you such an ignoble fate, but it seems your time has run it's course. Now to be sure you do not turn up as a loose end.

The witch reached out her hand, but before she could break the threads holding Conall, something else happened. He seemed to fade, then vanished into the air, leaving nothing behind. For a moment, the old witch tried to figure out what had happened, then realization hit her. So, you found outside help. Too bad it will cost you everything. Another witch did not bode well on her plans, but too many things had been set in motion, and disrupting them now would only serve to weaken her. She would bide her time until all was ready.

She turned and hobbled slowly up the stairs to the Prince's quarters, along the dark halls into his chamber. Once inside, she approached the table, which currently held a chemistry set. The burner had melted through the bottom of a glass container, spilling water atop it and putting the fire out. Another minor setback, but one she could afford.

"It would seem you have grown ambitious in the time I have been gone." A voice broke the silence of the chamber, sending a wave of shivers up her spine. She turned as quickly as her body would allow, eyes wide at the sight of a large, looming figure within the dark confines of the room.

Prostrating herself before him, the old witch groveled at the sight of the one she feared more than death itself. "M-master, please know that your servant has done only what is right of her, and would never betray his Majesty!"

"Of course. I am confident that nothing I would not tolerate has happened in my absence?" He said, his deep voice commanding her answer.

"Yes, your Majesty. I would not allow anything to happen." She said, dearly hoping that truth would be lent to her words.

"Good. And what of my son, he has not learned his name, I assume?"

"No no! He has been kept far from any such knowledge!" The witch looked up at the imposing figure, her eyes still filled with fear.

"Excellent. We shall be leaving then, and I don't wish for anyone to know I have returned yet. My presence must only be known in time."

"As you wish, my lord." The witch bowed again.

Birdsong echoed in through the window, bringing with it a fresh breeze from the sea.

***

Saionji hiked up the muddy hillside, his pants freshly caked from a slip on the ground. Behind him, Ambrosia grinned, her whole body splattered in mud. The pair drew up to the top of the slick slope, each trying to regain their breath from the climb.

"Look at them all. It reminds me of some kind of circus." Ambrosia said, staring at the pavilions, bright banners hanging from their edges and flying from tall poles.

"Hmm, something about this doesn't feel right." Saionji said, resting his hand upon his chin. "I don't like it. Why would someone set all this up way out here instead of in the city?"

"A Warlord never makes camp too close to his enemies, favored one." A quiet, sickly sounding voice answered, drawing their attention to a rock nearby.

"Who's there?" Saionji asked defensively, placing himself between the rock and Ambrosia.

A slight, pale girl rose from where she sat behind the rock, turning to face them. She had long black hair, and strange, silver pupils surrounded by grayed eyes. She bowed elegantly, lowering her eyes to the ground before him.

"You! The old man said I would meet you here, and that you could tell me what was going on." Saionji said, his eyes fixed on the strange girl.

"If it is within my power to speak, I shall tell you whatever it is you wish to know." She answered, rising up again to meet his eyes with hers.

Ambrosia peered out from behind Saionji's back, a slight squint in her eyes. There was something very wrong about this girl, she was sure of it. Glancing up at Saionji, she saw the resolution on his face, the need for whatever this girl promised him.

"Saionji, I don't think this girl is trustworthy." She said, taking his hand. He ignored her, still intent on their new acquaintance.

"Please, favored one, come with me. You are expected at the camp." She gestured slowly for them to follow her, then began walking down the hill towards the pavilions below.

Saionji hesitated, looking over at Ambrosia. "I need to know the truth, and this girl knows the answers to my questions. You can go home and wait for your brother if you like."

"I've already made up my mind, I want to come with you. Please don't send me away." She said, her eyes reflecting longingly at him.

"Alright, but whatever happens, I need you to trust me, okay." Saionji said sternly.

"Okay..." She answered. "I trust you, but I don't trust her. Be careful."

Saionji nodded, then turned to follow the girl to the camp. The three of them walked on, making their way down the hillside to where the large circle of tents stood.