AN: I'm terribly sorry for the lack of updates. I've been having some personal issues so I couldn't update.
I hope there are readers. My co-author and I have actually finished this story. We're already starting a new one...filled with hot guys and a modern setting.
And it's not in the RP format so it'll be much more novel like. Well then...onwards to the story!
King Sondalle was wrapped in a luxurious fur cloak and the hilt of his sword peeked out. Kiera hid a smile. So the King had felt uneasy at the unexpected appearance of Ishitaka as well.
"Did you not say Ishitaka was here, Kiera?" he questioned, scanning the group that was trailing behind her.
"He left soon after Ieros Victoria, your Majesty. Perhaps she caused him discomfort."
"I suppose we should be thankful to you then Ieros Victoria." Ieros Victoria seated on the gold gilded chair on his right smiled serenely at him.
"I seek no thanks, your Grace."
"Kiera, I'm starting to think you enjoy presenting me with men. Who might it be that you bring to my court this day?"
"Ishitaka left him, Sire. Perhaps Lord Rei can better answer for his identity."
Kiera gestured for her soldiers to bring the man forward. The man looked utterly lost. She was involuntarily reminded of Uruha when he had first set foot in that very room. She stole a quick glance at Uruha. Irritation exploded in her chest, he was staring up at Ieros Victoria as though she was the sole being in the room. She looked away, trying to soothe her sudden irrational anger.
Reita stepped forward, "He is a friend of mine, your Majesty. I know not how he came to be here."
"Then you can ascertain that he is of no threat to us?"
"He is the most gentle soul."
The King relaxed into his throne. "What do we call you?" he asked the man. Kiera caught a slight movement of his finger, a silent message to her. She indicated for the soldiers surrounding the man to back away. With his guards gone, the man breathed in relief.
"Its Kai." he answered, his voice shaky. The King nodded.
"Lord Rei, is this the last of your friends? My castle is getting too crowded with them." the king said, good humouredly.
"I sure hope so, your Majesty." Reita laughed.
Kiera sensed the meeting had come to an end. "Sire, I must speak with you and Ieros Victoria." She said.
The king nodded while Ieros Victoria seemed thoughtful.
"I think it wise if we move to a more private location, my Lord." Ieros Victoria suggested.
"Perhaps Lord Rei and his friends would like to join as well."
Kiera wanted to object but she kept her silence. She was still mildly annoyed with Uruha. She walked from the throne room following in the King and Ieros Victoria's shadow. She knew she was being childish but when Uruha met her eyes at the entrance she ignored him.
Uruha stared confusedly at Kiera as the group walked down the corridor. There are many things going on right now and Uruha knew he should be concerned about something else but he couldn't let go of Kiera from his mind. She seemed angry about something. He's quite adept at sensing when a friend is infuriated and Kiera was sending fumes in his direction. It confused him, seeing as how she wasn't really his friend. After all, they haven't even been together for a full day. But somehow there was this connection. Was she mad because of his meddling earlier? Ishitaka did throw her against a wall literally because of him... maybe he should apologize again. The two of them were at the very end of the group so perhaps he could sneak in a conversation without the rest noticing.
"Kiera," Uruha whispered to her, afraid that if he was loud in the presence of Ieros Victoria and the King, he'd be in trouble. It may be just his imagination... but she seemed to be walking faster. Not missing a beat, Uruha picked up his pace but the distance between them did not shorten. "Kiera!" Uruha hissed, now extending his hand to touch her shoulder. He's certain he touched her but she ignored him completely.
Uruha's temper hadn't been the most stable ever since he got thrown into this world. He wasn't normally impatient but this time he couldn't let it slide. Brusquely, Uruha sped up and put a sturdy hand on Kiera's shoulder, forcefully stopping Kiera's walking.
Kiera wanted to punch something rather badly at the moment. Uruha's persistence was grating on her nerves. She forced herself from slapping away his hands.
"Is there a reason for this?" she hissed, supporting a full blown glare.
Kiera's sudden hostility took Uruha by surprise and he let go of her shoulder at once as if her eyes had just electrocuted him.
"Um..." Uruha stuttered, feeling dumb for not having considered what he was going to say,
"I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean for you to get hurt like that." Uruha stared into her harsh glare, trying to show her his sincerity.
She didn't want to admit that something melted in her chest at his sincerity. Mentally berating herself for the momentary weakness, she took a breath.
"Rest your concerns, Uruha." She said, glancing at the others, "We should not trail behind."
Kai felt as if he was in a trance. He was strangely aware of the two obviously important ladies. The one behind them, who Uruha kept calling Kiera made him of think of thunderstorms. Why was Uruha all familiar with her anyway? He'll have to ask him later. Kai blinked. He had been following Ieros Victoria blindly like a dog on a leash. He cleared his throat at the realization. He was the Gazette's leader, not a little dog. He looked back at his band mates. Reita gave him a dorky grin but Uruha legged behind apparently harassing Kiera. He spared a moment to worry for Uruha's safety; the lady looked like she wanted to bash his head into the wall.
"Don't worry. She won't kill him." he heard Reita say.
"I hope not. It would be really awkward to explain to the others."
Kai turned back, just in time to avoid colliding into the King's back. Ieros Victoria gave him a pointed look. Was it supposed to say something? Kai wondered.
"No one is to disturb us." The king announced to the guards stationed on either side of the wide oak door.
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Unless, its urgent." He heard Kiera add. Kai winced when the guards slammed their gauntleted hands to their chests in a salute. That must hurt.
"Yes, Marshal"
The door shut with a loud bang behind Kiera. He had no clue what the room is for. It seemed like a smaller version of the room they were in before. There was an exact replica of the throne there as well. Kai stared around in wonder. The King seated himself there comfortably. Ieros Victoria stood at his left. Her violet eyes suddenly focused on Kai. The look in her eyes made him nervous. It felt as if she could see his darkest secret and every indecent thing he has ever done. He broke off the strange eye contact. He felt lost all of a sudden. He shuffled towards Uruha who seemed to be eyeing Kiera with a frown on his face.
Uruha started to feel the air in the room get heavier signalling a serious discussion that's about to take place. He probably shouldn't be thinking too much about Kiera. He really didn't know her that well and he couldn't understand why he was so hung up about it.
He felt eyes on him and turned to see Kai looking at him with concern. "I'm ok," Uruha mouthed, knowing that Kai was asking if he's fine with just his eyes. Ah Uruha had missed the occasional slightly telepathic communications their band shared.
"Ieros Victoria," said King Sondalle, his abruptly stern voice startling Uruha a bit, "If you might be so kind as to tell us the reason behind your visit."
The two strangers in the room had been her point of scrutiny for some time now. It was the latest arrival that puzzled her. He was not meant to be here. She knew by just a glance that he possessed little to no ability at all to Travel. The blond one, Uruha as he is called, on the other hand. She had been anticipating his arrival. In fact her clan had been preparing for it. They had all assumed he would come to them. It had been quite a shock to hear the news that it was Kiera who found him a mere distance from her. Kiera possessed no power and yet she seemed to attract those with formidable abilities to her. Perhaps it was safe to assume she was the one spoken of in the prophecy.
Victoria could see the strong wave of power that enveloped both Uruha and Lord Rei. She would have to call a council meeting among the elders of Nerieh as soon as she got back to the clan. They would have to discuss how best to play the situation.
"Your Grace, I have come to ask your co operation." She focused her whole attention on the King. His brow creased slightly at her words but otherwise gestured her to continue.
"It be most important that Uruha accompany me back to the Nerieh. We must train him for what is to come."
Uruha leaned in a little bit towards the front, not sure he has heard what Ieros Victoria said correctly. Train him for something? What was he supposed to do? Sit naked underneath a waterfall for three days and find his "inner peace" in order to gain "true power" or something like that? Why does it feel like he has suddenly become the protagonist of a manga?
Uruha let the ridiculous scenario settle in his mind for a while before bursting out laughing. His sudden laughter shocked everyone in the room except Kai who was also laughing along with him. But when they both realized that no one else was laughing... and King Sondalle, Kiera and Ieros Victoria all had looks of murderous intent on their faces, Uruha stopped and cleared his throat nervously.
"I do not see the humour in this young man. This is a grave matter." Victoria hid her uncertainty behind a mask of serenity.
"Ieros Victoria, I do not enjoy being kept in the dark about the matters of my kingdom. I have no qualms about letting him go however, I wish to know the reason." said the King.
"I would expect nothing less, your Grace. However, I am at the moment not the liberty to indulge your wish." Victoria replied smoothly. She knew the King would not let the matter rest so easily but he must know the Nerieh would not bring harm to his Kingdom. The King seemed thoughtful. Victoria caught the small exchange of glances between the King and his Marshal.
Uruha was about to protest but Reita did it for him.
"I wish to know the reason too, Ieros Victoria," Reita said, stepping in front firmly, the expression on his face serious.
"As do I, Ieros Victoria." Kiera voiced.
Victoria considered her next words carefully. The Oracle had warned the Nerieh of the consequences should the King ever find out about the object of power. If the King should know of it and want it...it would bring war to the lands. Victoria could not risk it; the bloodshed would be too great even before the prophesied events could take place. Perhaps she could cure their curiosity with a half truth.
"The Nerieh seeks only to protect the peace, your Grace. The coming of Uruha had been forewarned to us by the Oracle and thus we have been given the task to train him to use his abilities. I regret I cannot give you the answers that you seek. It is not within my power to do so."
Another exchange of glances between the King and Kiera. Victoria hid a triumphant smile, she had done right.
"Very well, I give you leave to do as you see fit. What say you, Uruha?"
Uruha couldn't believe this. They were actually serious about him. But there was only one answer to give. One very obvious answer.
"No way," Uruha said in a slight scoff, "I... I wanna go home." He realized he hasn't once uttered this before but he has never felt like he didn't belong this much. He didn't understand what anyone is saying and he had no desire to. He really just wanted to go home.
Kai had been gaping a little at the very serious sounding conversation taking place. He didn't understand a thing. He had sent Reita a helpless look but ended up being ignored as his friend looked dead serious. When he heard Uruha, all of a sudden the exhaustion and homesickness washed over him.
"I want to go home too." He supported Uruha in a tiny voice. It made him gulp uncomfortably when the violet eyes of Ieros Victoria sharply focused on him.
Something akin to disappointment slid through Kiera at Uruha's words. The new comer agreed as well. She noted his slumped shoulders. She could not blame them though, perhaps she would feel the same longing for her home if she was stranded in their world.
"If I may, Ieros Victoria." Kiera started. At her accent Kiera continued, "Without his willing consent, it would make whatever training you have planned for him difficult. Though I have not known him long, he is clearly a bull headed man if he wishes." She ignored the indignant reaction from Uruha.
"Ah I have known you long enough, Kiera. Speak your mind." The King said, smiling.
"I merely wished to suggest that Uruha be allowed to consult the Oracle himself, Sire."
"If your Majesty permits, I would gladly accompany him on the journey." Reita added. Uruha seemed like he wanted to protest. Reita intervened before he could.
"I'm sorry, Uruha. You can't just go home yet. Its not possible, the portal stones are kind of like a one way street. If you want to go back, you need to learn how- you know what, its a long complicated thing. I'll tell you in detail later."
Kai felt somewhat forgotten. He knew he was pouting childishly but he couldn't stop it. How come no one was listening to him? He wanted to go home and sleep. If he sulked to himself the situation wasn't going to improve so he chose to speak out.
"What about me?"
Kiera smiled warmly at him, making him feel slightly better. But the answer he got from Ieros Victoria dragged his mood down again.
"You were not meant to be here."
Way to make someone feel unwanted, he thought sullenly.
"My Lord, perhaps Marshal Kiera speaks true. Allowing him to consult the Oracle would be wise indeed." said Ieros Victoria. Ieros Victoria could hide her thoughts easily but Kiera caught a glimpse of uncertainty flit through her features. That scared her more than if she was facing a thousand monsters alone. If the Nerieh were uncertain, it was not good.
"So be it. Kiera, prepare an honorary guard to bring Uruha to the Oracle. Lord Rei will lead them and Kai, if you wish it, you may accompany them." the King spoke, "In the meantime, Kiera, I entrust Kai to your care."
Kiera felt no reason to object. She bowed. In her mind she was already assembling the honorary guard. It would take days to prepare for their journey. Gifts had to be made for the Oracle. She walked out of the room, deep in thought of the things needed to be done. Until she remembered the King's last command; Kai.
She turned back abruptly. Reita walked between Uruha and Kai, arms slung over their shoulders. She smiled at the comfortable friendship between them.
"I apologize for my lack of manners. I am Keira, Marshal of the King's army." She introduced herself to Kai, smiling slightly. Somehow, he did not affect her like Uruha did. Kai beamed at her, then bowed taking her by surprise.
"I'm Kai. Drummer and leader of the Gazette. Nice to meet you!" he said excitedly. Kiera felt slightly apprehensive at his words.
"I did not take you for a soldier."
Her comment seemed to cause confusion. Reita burst out in a fit of laughter. "No no sweetheart, he's not a soldier. Think of it as a band of musicians. Like hell he can lead soldiers." Kai elbowed him in the guts but otherwise did not negate him. Kiera sensed someone approach them in the hallway.
"Castle is full." came Takeru's voice from behind them. Reita's expression changed rapidly. He glared at the little demon.
"It is the festival of Elaphebolia in 3 days. I'm afraid you would have to share your quarters Uruha, with Kai." She told them by way of explanation. Reita nodded understandingly.
"I forgot about the festival." Then returning his glare to Takeru, "You've done your job. Be gone, demon." he growled. The little demon ignored the fiery glare directed at him.
"Still no reward?" he asked Kiera, big eyes sparkling expectantly. Kiera decided that perhaps this time the little demon deserved his sweets.
"It will be sent to your chamber." Takeru giggled before disappearing.
"I will lead you to your quarters. Clearly you need rest." She directed her words to Kai. She had not meant to ignore Uruha's presence, she was only doing what was expected of her. Besides, her thoughts were brimming with preparations for his journey. Behind her she heard a whispered "What the hell is a Elp- whatever it was?" from Kai.
Once again, Uruha is being dragged into strange situations against his own will. So they're seeing the Oracle now? He doesn't know what kind of person the Oracle is. Well he's seen The Matrix... but reality isn't as fun as movies. Trinity in the Matrix was nice to Neo. In reality, Uruha has Kiera. She's being bitter about everything and treats him with nothing but hostility. It's understandable if that's the way she behaved with all strangers but she's treating Kai like a guest while he's being treated like an unwanted nuisance!
"Kiera, why are you angry at me all the time?" Uruha stepped right in front of Kiera to block her path, "I've already apologized to you. And I didn't ask to be transported here from those whatever portal stones either. So I'm sorry I'm being a bother to your way of life, but seriously, you've never even smiled at me. You could smile a little bit you know. Like you did for Kai."
Keira stood frozen to the spot. She had not expected such an outburst from him. Behind them Reita cleared his throat.
"Kiki, I'll show Kai to his room." Giving her a feline grin, he dragged the clearly amused Kai away with him. Left alone with Uruha, Kiera suddenly felt awkward. Well he was right, she had been quiet hostile to him. Perhaps his association with the rebels had grated on her nerves more than she realized. Or perhaps it was the way he affected her.
Kiera sighed, "Forgive me. It was rude of me to treat you thus."
Uruha raised his eyebrows at her. "That's it?" he pouted, "I'll forgive you if you smile at me." Uruha cheekily grinned at her. He's already forgiven her of course, but he wanted to see her smile. He only caught a glimpse of it when she smiled at Kai but it was so beautiful. It's not fair that Kai got to see it and he didn't.
Blood rushed to her cheeks. Kiera hoped no one was around to see them or her reputation would be utterly ruined. Who would've thought someone like Uruha can make the great Marshal blush. Then again...he was a very pretty man. It was then that she realized he was standing close, too close. She took a step back, putting distance between them. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to smile a little, she mused.
"If you wish it." she told him. Looking up into his pretty face, she smiled. To her own surprise, it was not a forced smile.
"I shall escort you back to your chamber. There are things that call for my attention."
Side stepping him, Kiera walked briskly down the hall hoping Uruha would follow without further words.
Uruha froze slightly at Kiera's smile. He had expected it to be very pleasing but instead it made him nervous. He wasn't sure why but he liked that feeling. He is so going to make her smile a lot.
"Yes, my lady," Uruha said in response to Kiera's words, bowing cheekily with a grin on his face.