Chapter 7
Princes and Wolves
Nemo sat alone in the Prince's quarters, head rested firmly in his hands. He could hardly understand what was happening, the feral roars within his mind. He hadn't remembered trying to kill his brother, or turning on Utena for that matter. But deeper down, he knew when she turned away that she had been completely honest.
"What's wrong with me!?" Rising from the bed he slammed his clenched fists against the wall angrily, his voice growing loud and enraged. Against the wall, the mirror showed nothing but an empty room on it's polished surface.
Do you really think there is any hope for you, Prince of Wolves? You and I are the same, a single being of terrible fury, an unstoppable force that will rock the hearts and chill the souls of any who dare stand against us. We are one, and apart from me, you no longer exist. A mask rested over the left half of Nemo's face, the lupine muzzle moving independent of it's wearer.
"I am not you, I am my own man!" Nemo shouted, glaring at the beast that stared back at him.
Really? Then what is your name, Prince Nemo? The mask taunted, it's eye threatening to overwhelm Nemo's mind.
"I-I, my name is..." Nemo looked down, unable to confront the gaze of his dual self.
Your name is Nemo, no one. I am your lifeline, the only thing that holds you to this world. Without me, all you have ceases to exist, all that you are is nothing. The wolf mask taunted, knowing just how much power it had over it's holder. You can never truly be free, for you are nothing in the end. One day you will awake to find I have grown stronger than you, and not all the power of this world will be able to stop me! I will rip and tear the flesh of my foes, destroying anything that dares rise against me, and crush this land to rubble! The voice stopped for a second, then grew bolder. Maybe I'll even drink the blood and revel in the screams of your friend, Tenjou.
Fear and rage tore into Nemo, his resolve growing weaker as fury filled his heart, blinding his mind, silencing his soul. The wolf laughed softly within him, feeling his weakness growing. Nemo knew he was losing, but refused to give in to the power of the beast. "You... you won't touch one hair on her head!" Nemo's voice was quivering with inner rage. "I promise you, your filthy desires shall never be fulfilled!" Gripping his sword, Nemo drew it from the scabbard at his side. He rose it to strike himself, but another presence stayed his hand.
Utena stood at the door, staring in at her Prince. For a long moment, her eyes remained fixed on him, worry creasing her brow. Nemo dropped his sword, sweat dripping off the end of his nose. He hung his head in shame, knowing she must be broken and angry at his actions. She didn't know what was wrong with him, she didn't need to. I will only hurt her if I let her in.
A key clicked in a lock. Utena walked slowly up to Nemo. The walls of the castle stood thick and firm outside. She stopped just shy of him, her deep blue eyes seeking his forest green ones. Windows slid shut, latches pushed firmly, and curtains lowered. Utena's kind arms wrapped about Nemo's trembling body, her warm breath brushing against his damp skin. The door was shattered, the walls collapsed with a thundering crash, the windows were blasted aside.
Nemo collapsed to the ground, sobs wracking his body. Utena knelt next to him, drawing close to him. She didn't know what was wrong with him, she didn't need to. He gave everything for me, saved me from myself. I don't need to know, I love him anyway. For a moment in time, the world seemed to stop, drawn into perfect harmony. Nemo's fears, the darkness that sought to destroy him, were driven out.
He wished he could tell her, but the truth of his fear would break them apart. She could never forgive the darkness within him. She would run from Ookami, run from him. He would have to fight to protect her from himself, or lose her forever.
***
The soldiers watched as Saionji strode slowly into the camp, led by the frail Meirk and followed by a frightened Ambrosia. The teenager's eyes drifted about like a deer that hears howls in the night. The men were clad in camouflage, furs, motley clothes, and leather. There didn't appear to be any uniformity, each entirely different in appearance than the last. They bore weapons of every type, some bearing swords and clubs, while others carried guns and explosives. Grenades and javelins sat stacked against each other, flanked by RPGs leaned on piles of arrows.
Saionji hardly noticed as he followed his guide up the hill, towards the large pavilion atop it. Men pulled forcefully at the ropes of a pavilion that was being erected. The tent rose slowly, tugging back against the might of the men. For long moments, the weight fought the strength, then without warning, the rope between them found itself too strained, and snapped violently. The men collapsed in a heap, the tent fell. Saionji continued onward.
Ambrosia, who was still eyeing the fearsome number, noticed that their ranks were changing, now instead of the fierce men near the base of the hill, there were numbers of bold, iron clad men, resting in the shade of their pavilions, away from the heat of the sun. Unlike the unruly, wild, aggressive soldiers she had seen before, these men were more refined, watching her through heavy lidded, haughty eyes.
"Who exactly are we going to see?" Ambrosia asked, looking back up at Meirk.
Turning her head slowly, the strange, dark robed girl looked back at her with cold eyes. "The Favored One is going to see the mighty Warlord Asrad, and you," she paused, as if thinking for a moment. Her voice became a little softer, "we shall see what we can do for you." Feeling no more secure about the situation, Ambrosia continued her upward trek behind Saionji.
The sun stood high by the time they reached the entrance of the pavilion atop the hill, banners flowing in a strong westward breeze. Saionji turned to their guide, a question in his eyes. "You said we were to meet a Warlord here, but you didn't explain why." He said.
"You shall see in time, Favored One." There was a glimmer of glee in her weak smile as she motioned for him to enter the pavilion. Ambrosia started to follow, but her outstretched arm barred the girl's passage.
"You stay here. The guards will attend you." The look Meirk gave Ambrosia sent a shiver up her spine as she backed off. An armored hand suddenly gripped her about the face, keeping her from making any sound as she was dragged forcefully off, kicking and struggling against her assailant.
One of the armored men approached Meirk, bowing as she turned to enter the tent. "What should we do with the girl, my lady?"
"Keep her bound and untouched, for now anyway. I may yet have uses for her, but if she turns out to be a liability, your men may see to it that she is treated appropriately." Her whisper carried with it an edge that her sickly frame hardly seemed capable of. The soldier shivered in his armor, knowing full well the depth of depravity lady Meirk was capable of. With that, she entered the tent after Saionji, ready to enact the revenge she desired.
***
Without Nemo, Utena, or even Ragnarok to tell him what to do, Ryan found himself feeling a little strange. He was so unused to doing things for himself, let alone being in charge of a castle, that he was at a loss. Wandering about the stone corridors and great walls, he stared at the place he once called home. There was a certain degree of familiarity with everything, but at the same time, it was different, like something out of a dream.
He stepped out into the courtyard again, still feeling a little lost. High on a wall crevice, a tiny bird took to it's wings for the first time, fluttering freely in the open sky. Ryan smiled as he watched the little creature try it's wings. Up and down it glided, then landed atop a small post where a large bell hung.
Curious at the sight of it, Ryan walked up, staring at the large bronze object. He tapped it, looked inside at the large bell gong, and then gripped the rope hanging from it. He gave a sharp tug, then released the rope, allowing it to swing freely and ring in the clear air.
A commotion started all about the walls and buildings, as an assortment of guards and soldiers came hurrying into the courtyard, some half-dressed, others stumbling along as their sleepy forms would allow. They assembled, doing their best to straighten up into neat rows upon the grassy sward.
Ryan hesitated, unsure of what he had just done. Then he noticed they were all watching him nervously, as if they expected him to eat them where they stood. Are they waiting for me? I must have called them, or they wouldn't have all hurried up like that. Oops!
He finally decided he would address them, since he had dragged them out like this. "Ahem, ah, welcome..." Ryan stopped, embarrassed by his own lack of things to say. "I, uh, I mean good uh, afternoon. My name is Ryan, the Sword Bearer of Prince Nemo, your new ruler. I-"
The men broke into a simultaneous cheer, whooping into the air and throwing their headgear about. Some of the men began to cry, while others patted each other on the back, big grins spread over their features.
Baffled by their behavior, Ryan tried to get them to settle down, but they hardly noticed. After several useless attempts, he gripped the bellrope and rang it again. Immediately the grounds went quiet as they retook their positions. "Uh, thank you. Your new Prince is pleased with the diligence he has seen in his men." Ryan said, trying to sound sincere. If they were really that diligent, we probably would have failed to take the castle instead of winning as easily as we did.
"As of now, I am taking charge of the castle guard, so you can all call me sir from now on." Still sounding small and under confident, Ryan tried puffing out his chest.
"Y-yes sir!" The stuttered, half laugh came from the assembled men at his show of force.
"Ahh, we're going to have a lot of work ahead, aren't we..." Ryan whispered to himself. The little fledgeling bird had fallen to the ground, but quickly righted itself and began flapping it's tiny wings fiercely, carrying itself into the sky once again.
***
Michael Cray and his companion stood watch at the gatehouse, sitting in the pleasant confines of the little room. Bright sunlight filtered in through a series of narrow windows along the wall, a table surrounded by chairs filled the middle of the space, and a large series of gears dominated one wall, the controls of the main entrance to Ookami Castle.
Michael himself was feeling particularly proud, smiling over at his companion, something he had not done since the beginning of the King's reign. "Ah, this thinking for yourself business is terrible! Prince Conall was so mad, he went up and left us here, to get promoted to gatehouse watch during the day, instead of drafty, wretched wall watch all night! Who would have thought!?"
"Alright, alright! Enough already!" His companion replied in a huff. "You win, this is much better, but mind you, we would have been killed if the Prince's brother hadn't been waiting at the gates for someone to let him in!"
"True enough, I suppose, but it would still have been better than living the way we were." Michael replied, proffering a stein of warm broth to his companion. "Anyway, I'm proud of the decision I made, and look at how much it changed your life. If Prince Conall had been in charge, we wouldn't be eating for hours yet, and would he give a care? No. I think this new guy in charge of the guard is doing a good job of looking out for us, and if the new Prince is the same way, you won't catch me complaining."
"At least you're in a better mood." His companion replied, leaning forward and taking the broth. "The other night I could hardly get a positive word out of you, and now look, you won't shut up. I swear, if you talk too much more, I'll have to shove this stein down your throat just to get a minute of peace and quiet."
A shadow hovered in the doorway near the guards, followed by two pairs of curious eyes. "Mew!" A brown kitten scurried up to Michael's leg, and began rubbing it's head against it warmly.
"Aww, look at this little fellah. Where did you come from, cutie?" He reached down, scratching the kitten along it's neck.
Deciding these men were friendly, the boy crept out from his hiding place, and came walking boldly up to the guardsmen. "Hello sirs. My name is Cray, and I'm looking for my sister. Have ya seen her?"
The two guards looked at each other in amusement, then turned back to face the kid. "Nice to make your acquaintance Cray, my name is Mr. Michael Cray, and this is my esteemed colleague Mr. Jim Nettle." Michael said with a hint of sarcasm underlaying his tone of feigned nobility. "May I inquire as to how you got into our humble castle?"
"Oh, that's easy." Cray said with a smile. "I followed the Prince and his friends in, after you left the gate open."
Michael blushed slightly, having forgot he had abandoned the gatehouse after releasing the drawbridge. "Ah, well, I was thinking more about what was going on at the time than about the gate. Anyway, what was that you were asking about your sister?" He quickly changed the subject, hoping to draw attention away from his lapse in duty.
"I haven't seen her since the green haired Prince went after her the day before they took the castle. I'm starting to get worried. Was anybody brought here before then? I'm sure you would have heard something about it." Cray answered, his voice becoming more worried.
"No, I haven't, but if she is here, we'll find out, is that okay?" Michael said reassuringly.
"Okay." Cray replied. The brown kitten stepped outside, and began walking after another cat, one that was much larger, and yet the same shade of brown.