Oh, man, I feel so bad waiting so long before updating... But I was at a real roadblock. I needed two country names and EGP and I couldn't settle on one, etc, etc... But lo and behold! I have created chapter 29 and have begun chapter 30! Yay!
Mihara: Full of nothing but excuses, hmm?
Me: Oh, shut up!
vampireizzy: Haha, poor Ike! And, yep! Lots of people like her! They also like the Sylvia x Shoen pairing... BUT that's half up to you. Thanks for reviewing! (ALSO OMG ARE YOU THE HUNDRETH REVIEWER? ...I dunno...)
TheSilverHairedMaiden: Person Who Owns Sylvia is right above this, so if you demand a Sylvia x Shoen, there's your person! I'm innocent in the middle (innocent smile). And umm...that's a very big NO-NO on the whole females-found-unconscious-etc. It just happens to be more dramatic and that's how I write, haha. The tribes will also soon be a big part again, have no fear! And nice randomness at the end. Thanks for your review.
Predator Drone: Very good guess on Harmony! Very sad about southern Cali and no snow. =( My sympathies. I also thought the same thing about Ashera, too, so you're not alone! She's nuts. (laughs psychotically) Thanks for reviewing and sorry this chapter took so long!
Iline: The snowball fight was, like, my favorite part to write. I'm glad you liked it too! Oh, no, I've created another Shoen fangirl and Mihara fan! THE JOY! =D Thanks on your congrats and your review!
Disclaimer: ...
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Chapter 29
Mihara glanced around with suspicion as she followed Reyson down the hall. She frowned with confusion as they passed Shoen's room. She didn't know why, but she had expected them to meet in there. Maybe Shoen's just waiting in Reyson's room, then...
The heron stopped and opened his guest bedroom's door, gesturing that Mihara should enter first. She stepped inside, Reyson shutting the door behind them. Mihara glanced around. "...Where's Shoen?"
"To be honest...it was just me that wanted to speak with you," admitted Reyson.
"Umm...okay. What do you need to talk about?"
Reyson turned to look out the windows at the snow outside. "I'm leaving for Serenes today. I am sorry I cannot stay for your birthday tomorrow."
"No, it's okay..." Mihara grinned at him. "But out of curiosity, who was it that told you? Shoen?"
"Indeed."
She scoffed lightly. "Of course."
"Well, would you mind if I have you your present now?"
"...What? You didn't have to get me anything..."
"I wanted to," Reyson insisted in a teasing voice. His hand reached into the pocket of his jacket. He brought out a small, beaded object. He extended it and Mihara slowly accepted it.
Her eyes widened slightly at its beauty. It was a bracelet, with glass beads that were colored and appear sky blue. Inside each beads were droplets of white that gave it the appearance of clouds. The black wire holding the beads together stretched, so Mihara stuck it on her left wrists. She smiled at Reyson. "You shouldn't have, but thank you." She gave the heron prince a hug to thank him for his gift. When Mihara tried to release him, Reyson placed his left hand on the back of Mihara's head to stop her. Before she could process what he was doing, he gently locked his lips around hers.
Mihara's eyes widened slightly and her heart pounded heavily in her chest. Before she could even protest, Reyson broke off the kiss and whispered into her ear, "Happy birthday, Mihara." His intense green eyes gazed into her golden eyes for only a second before Reyson moved around her and walked towards the door, but he stopped. Without turning around, he said, "I have looked into your heart, Mihara, and I know that I have no chance against him. Still, I thought I'd let you be aware of my feelings. ...Take care." He then left the room.
Finally feeling like she could breathe again, Mihara took in slow, deep breaths of air. There was a knot in her throat and she felt like she had butterflies. Her cheeks were a fierce red and her face was hot. Reyson had just...kissed her? 'His feelings'... Did that mean that he really...?
Oh...boy...
XxXxXxX
Keenan watched as the young members of his tribes pranced about in the snow. They were in their full forms, but were all long legged fillies and colts. A few older ones joined in to play with them, and to be honest, it made Keenan want to join in himself. However, he remained at the top of the hill. Most of his people, save for a few, were in their full forms, their shaggy coats fighting off the cold. None were complaining about the frigid air, but if any did, Keenan and a few others would go to Castle Altiaire to ask for some coats and blankets.
Laughter – in the form of whinnies – rang out in the air, but Keenan's ears pricked when he heard two particular ones. Gwenna and Aislyn were prancing about with a few of the young ones, kicking snow at each other.
He smiled gently. Back in Staltone, it got chilly, but they had never seen snow before. It was so white...so pure... It made the Horse Lord forget that anything bad may be happening on the continent. It distracted him from the fact that there was a mad goddess who had been released...once again.
"My lord?" Gwenna trotted up beside Keenan, having the build of a beautiful light red arabian horse. She tossed her head about, trying to get snow off her face. "Would you care to join us?"
Keenan glanced at her. Perhaps just for a little while? What was the worse that could happen? He looked back at her and bobbed his great head. "Sure."
XxXxXxX
"Visit the hawks?" Boyd echoed.
"Yeah. How about it?" Ike tilted his head.
"I think that sounds nice," Titania inputted. "We haven't seen all of them in quite some time."
"I agree." Mist smiled. "We just saw Tibarn and Mihara a while back when all the laguz came, but we haven't seen Janaff or Ulki in a long time. Oh," Mist looked at her brother with realization, "You haven't met Mihara, have you?"
"No, I have. It was under not the greatest of circumstances, though."
"Oh..."
Ranulf grinned inwardly with victory. He barely had to even mention Altiaire before Ike thought of the idea to visit. Still, he had to find some way to convince Skrimir to let him go...
"...bout Ranulf goes with us?"
The cat warrior's ears pricked up and he glanced at Ike, who had said that. Mia, with her hand resting on her sword hilt, inquired, "Will that get in the way of your work?"
"What work?" Lethe scoffed, which earned her an icy glare in return.
"I do more work than you, thank you very much," he hissed at her.
"We can go and speak with Skrimir to see if you can accompany us." Ike gestured to Ranulf.
While the two began walking away, Soren called, "When are we planning to leave?"
Without turning around, Ike pondered a moment. Then, he replied, "We'll say just past noon."
"Right."
Once the two close friends were out of earshot of the others, Ike said, "Don't think I didn't know that this is what you wanted."
Ranulf grinned at the blue-haired man. "Thank you, Ike."
"Yeah. No problem. Still...we're going to have to talk Skrimir into it." Ike gave him a skeptical look.
Ranulf waved his hand back and forth in front of his face. "Nah. I don't think we'll have to worry too much. Maybe if we gave him those big adorable, irresistible kitty-cat eyes..."
Ike laughed humorlessly as they climbed the stairs up to the second level. "That'd be just creepy to see you do that."
"Who said I would do it?"
"...Your sense of humor is questionable, Ranulf."
"But you still think it's funny."
"...Sure."
"Ah! Ranulf! Ike!" a female voice called from behind the two.
The two men turned and yelped. Ranulf hissed, "Queen Nailah! What in the name of the goddess are you doing here?"
The wolf queen laughed, grinning (evilly?), Volug smirking in amusement from behind her. "Must I tell you the reason for my being here? I thought I'd pay you a visit, and here you are, being unbelieveably rude to me. Feline."
Ranulf narrowed his eyes with disapproval. Ike intervened, "Is that really all you came for? A visit?"
"My, Ike. You sound so suspicious." Nailah practically rolled her eyes. "I saw all the others down below on the first floor and I asked what in the world they were doing here. Of course, your little tactician gave me the evil eye and went stone-faced. However, Mist was kind enough to tell me that you were heading to Altiaire."
"Your point?" Ike raised an eyebrow as they slowly kept moving towards Skrimir's throne room.
"She heard that there may be snow there," Volug informed them. "We have only seen snow a few times in our lives. She wishes to see some under peaceful conditions."
Nailah's eye twitched and she glanced at Volug, who shrugged innocently. Ranulf gave them a dull look. "And I suppose you just want to hitch a ride with us?"
"Indeed." The queen of wolves smiled, pleased that he said that.
Ike chuckled while Ranulf scoffed lightly. "Of course you may come with us, Queen Nailah."
"Thank you, Sir Ike. However, Ranulf...I may need to speak with Skrimir on your conduct towards guests," Nailah said in a teasing voice.
Ranulf laughed dryly. "Of course."
XxXxXxX
Lorazieh coughed weakly, laying in bed. Rafiel quickly offered his father some refreshing, cool water. The heron king sipped it and lay back, sighing heavily. He cracked open one green eye and looked at his eldest son. "Thank you, Rafiel...you are a wonderful boy..."
"Thank you, Father."
"Where is Leanne...?"
"She's outside with Naesala. Would you like me to get her for you?"
"If it isn't too much trouble..."
"Of course not, Father. I will be go find her." Rafiel turned, heading out of his father's room.
He came out into the open air and looked around, spotting his sister with the former Raven King not too far off. He walked quickly, not wanting to be too far away in case his father needed something. Leanne and Naesala saw him coming and worry instantly covered Leanne's features, for she saw Rafiel's urgency. "Is something wrong?" she demanded.
"No, but Father wishes to speak with you," Rafiel reported.
"I see. I will go to him immediately." Leanne glanced at Naesala before releasing the hand she had been holding.
Rafiel watched his sister rush back towards their home, deciding that whatever Lorazieh wanted to talk with her about, he may want to do alone. He stood there, beside Naesala, feeling slightly awkward since he and Leanne had announced that Leanne was going to have their child. Both remained silent, not looking the other's direction.
XxXxXxX
"Silvan? Who's that?" Sylvia inquired, standing inbetween Mihara and Shoen, facing Tibarn.
"He was a guardian to my brother, sister, and I. Now, he shares Phoenics' history as stories," Tibarn told them.
"Your brother and sister?" Shoen echoed.
Ignoring him, Tibarn added, "You three should go listen to him. I believe you would find it interesting."
"Is he...telling one tonight?" Mihara asked.
"Yes. He will be in the throne room in a little while."
"Ahh, we totally should, you guys!" Sylvia grabbed the brother and sister's wrists, beginning to drag them. "C'mon, guys! Let's go! I mean, you two haven't heard about Phoenics' history, either, right?"
"No..." they droaned, giving in and walking with Sylvia, and even though they had a few questions for their father, they left him behind, thinking that their questions may be answered by this Silvan.
They made their way down the stairs towards the throne room, seeing other individuals headed the same general direction. This Silvan must be some storyteller, Mihara thought silently to herself. Either that, or...there's a reason why a lot of these people are my age. Maybe the history of Phoenics is more...bloody than I originally thought.
The three walked into the throne room, seeing about twenty other laguz in the room, both hawks and ravens. As Mihara had observed, they were all around her own age. An aged male hawk with light lavender hair that was fading to gray and with still-youthful gray eyes approached them. "Ah, young Mihara, Shoen, Sylvia. You are here to listen to the stories of an old man?" His voice held slight amusement.
"Yes, I suppose we are, sir," answered Shoen with a glare directed at Sylvia. Still, he had to admit to himself that he was interested.
"Excellent, excellent. Well, please make yourself comfortable," Silvan offered. As the three did so, Silvan glanced around out in the halls before having the doors shut. He walked back to the front of the room, took a seat that had been placed for him, and glanced around at everyone. "Are we all ready now?"
Murmurs of approval went throughout the small crowd. Silvan nodded understandingly. "Very well.
"This begins many a year ago, back in Year 617. Our old country of Phoenics was split into two: Phoecia and Aeonics, Aeonics being a country of elites – the nobility, like how it is with beorc – and Phoecia was a country of the "middle" and "lower" classes...which is where out King Tibarn - and I - were from.
"He had an older sister, Trinity, and an older brother, Tristen. They were of the "lower" class and lived with their parents. Our good friends, Janaff and Ulki, lived with them, for their parents were killed. Aeonics was led by a horrible Hawk King: Solomon. He ruled like a tyrant over Phoecia, sending his army into the villages to kill those who so much as thought of speaking out against him."
Mihara and Sylvia shuddered at the thought of that while Shoen clenched his hands into fists of anger.
"Now, Tibarn's parents and I were in the process of putting together a plan to oppose Solomon in the open. We had formed a group of those wishing to be members of our rebel group. However...Solomon heard of it and attacked us. It was horrible timing, for all of us were gathered at our safehouse outside of a village at the same time. It was all so quick. Before I knew it, Janaff and Ulki had found me and they all took me away from the burning warehouse. When we recovered our senses, we discovered that...I, out of thirty-four people, was the only one to survive. Trinity, Tristen, and Tibarn...lost their parents in that attack." Silvan's eyes flashed, as though he were suddenly re-living the event. He cleared his throat, paused, and continued.
"So, after that, Trinity decided to try again. With my guidance, we formed yet another group. Tristen, Tibarn, Janaff, and Ulki had to be convinced, but helped us, as well. Over the course of a few months, we managed to gather recruits while also keeping quiet. We traveled all over Phoecia to recruit, but eventually returned to Aseria – Tibarn's homevillage. While we were gone, certain individuals had moved into Aseria. They were some of Solomon's spies. We had been discovered.
"The army attacked us during the early evening, just before the sunlight was really beginning to dim. Not only did they attack us rebels, but they attacked and killed the innocent civilians. While we we escaped and evacuated the civilians, Tibarn met someone in the woods who would help to forever change Phoecia and Aeonics...Lady Zelena, niece of Solomon."
Everyone jerked with shock. The son and daughter of Zelena and Tibarn tensed, their eyes narrowed intently, identical looks on their faces. They wanted to hear more about this encounter, but Silvan did not go into detail.
"Now, most everyone was able to escape from the attack. From then on, we managed to work even quieter and out of Solomon's spies' range. We then heard of the colossium tournament, which is how the next leader is decided. Solomon was very old and he was ready to pass leadership on. However, only elites were allowed to enter. It would happen in about a month's time. We decided that then would be a good time to act. We began to make plans to attack the palace just before the tournament would begin. During this time, when Tibarn had been scouting alone in another village, he ran into Lady Zelena again, who was there to watch over her father's troops, which were attacking. He confronted her – much like he had the first time -, blaming everything on her and the elites. He blamed them for his pain and for our people's pain. Right then and there, out of everyone's views, Lady Zelena fell to her knees and begged Tibarn's forgiveness. Lady Zelena, as well as two of her three brothers, were ashamed at what their father and uncle were doing to us of the "lower" class. Tibarn, you can imagine, was very confused by this. He believed that all the elites were heartless, cruel beings who could care less about what happened to other. Lady Zelena had just proved him wrong. She told him that he could trust her and that she was just as furious as he for what was happening. Tibarn told her to prove this to him." Silvan smirked slightly. "Lady Zelena told him that he should attempt to hide his identity and enter the tournament to fight in it. She said that she would help him sneak into the country and would aid him from there. Tibarn hesitantly told her that he would think about it. Once he escaped the village, he told all of us what had happened. The month rolled by fast, and we all were getting ready to head out to Aeonics. Although...I must admit...despite Solomon's age, he still had his wits.
"Just as we were sending in our first line to scout everything out, Solomon went out with his troops to hunt us down. They ran into the first line, which Trinity was leading." Silvan's voice faltered slightly. "All of them were captured. When news reached Tristen and Tibarn, they were outraged. Tristen immediately came up with another plan to rescue them. He told Tibarn to stay with the others, and he and a small band went out after them. They, too, were captured.
"It was then that Tibarn came up with a different plan. He left Janaff and Ulki in charge of the remaining rebels, against their wishes, and flew off on his own towards Aeonics. He managed to sneak into the country and make his way toward the palace before he got stuck. There were many guards patrolling and he couldn't make it through without being seen. It was then that he heard two hawks sparring with each other out in the distance. He followed the sounds and came upon Lady Zelena with her brother, Johannes. Now, since Solomon believed women should be obedient housewives,-" many females in the crowd scoffed in disapproval, "-Tibarn was puzzled at this. When he approached them, Johannes was about to attack to protect Lady Zelena, but she intervened and told him everything. Johannes agreed to help. They took him and snuck him by the guards by saying he was their long-lost cousin on their mother's side who had been fighting in the war, as it was finally being called.
"Once they were finally in the palace, they hid Tibarn and got him a change of clothes. Suddenly, their father walked into their home. They urgently pushed Tibarn into Zelena's room, which their father never entered, and they ran to meet with him so he wouldn't catch scent of Tibarn. He told them that he only came home to get Johannes. Since Solomon was out of the country along with Zelena's two other brothers, and soon to be her father and oldest brother, he was leaving her in charge. Unknown to him, this would only help the three in their plan.
"When they left, Zelena brought Tibarn out and told him of the news. She said that even if he was disguised as an elite, there would probably be many that would disappove since they wouldn't recognize him. Nonetheless, she would make sure he entered. They rushed him out, making their way to the colossium."
When Silvan paused for breath, one of the males in the crowd asked, "Silvan? Where did the colossium used to be?"
"It was out in the fields. However, since such horrid crimes were committed there, King Tibarn had it torn down."
"Oh. I see..."
"Any other questions?" Silvan called.
Everyone's heads shook.
"Heh. Alright then.
"Well, Tibarn got into the tournament and fought many opponents, winning over all of them. Since they were 'pampered elites', as he called them, they had no real fighting skills. Except for the last opponent. He was the son of another general in Aeonics's army. He and Tibarn were almost evenly matched. Almost. He moved quicker than Tibarn, and once Tibarn's strength was beginning to wane, he slashed him across his face, which is how Tibarn got that scar. However, once his opponent thought he'd won, Tibarn caught him by surprise and knocked him down. The battle did not last much longer before Tibarn had emerged the victor.
"It was then that many of the elites protested against him winning, for one of the injured warriors that had stayed back identified him as a rebel and not really as an elite. But since there were those that opposed, there were also those that approved. There were many elites that believed in the same theory as Lady Zelena's – that those of a lesser birth should be equal to themselves.
"Ulki had quickly caught win of Tibarn's victory and told Janaff and all of us, who had managed to capture Solomon with the help of two of Zelena's brothers. We beat Solomon and the other captives, trying to get information about the whereabouts of Trinity and Tristen, but they wouldn't budge. Finally, one told us that they were in the basement of the palace. Janaff, Ulki, and I all flew as fast as we could to tell Tibarn of it, but Zelena had already told him.
"They went down to the basement to look for them...but by time they got there...it was too late. Trinity and Tristen had been severely wounded and were beyond help. Even though Tibarn attempted to get them help...they both died that night, Tibarn and Zelena watching over them.
"Not too long after, Tibarn and Zelena began seeing each other, and Tibarn was coronated as the next king. He united the countries, along with Zelena, to call it Phoenics. For only a few months after, there had been a few attempts on Tibarn and Zelena's lives, but all had been prevented.
"And that..." Silvan sighed. "...is the history of Phoenics."
It was then that everyone who had been captivated by his story seemed to move and breathe again. All had been so still and entranced until he stopped talking. It was then that when Mihara blinked, she felt a tear slip from out of the corner of her eye. She quickly wiped it away and inhaled deeply, feeling her heavily pounding heart. She had never known her father went through something like that. She never knew the country went through something like that...as well as her aunt...her uncle...and her mother.
She glanced over and guessed her brother felt the same way. His face was pale, his hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white, and his jaw was set. Sylvia, too, was shaking slightly, and her breathing was uneven. She looked as surprised as Mihara felt.
At the most perfect moment, out in the hall, a door burst open and Ginia's voice rang out with ecstatic joy. She began running down the hall, crying, "I DID IT, YOUR MAJESTY! I'M NOT A FAILURE AT BAKING, AFTER ALL! I DID IT, I DID IT, I DID IT!"
As her voice faded out, everyone merely stared blankly at the closed door. Silvan cleared his throat and said, "Well, now, if you all would, move along. I can answer any questions you may have another time. Perhaps tomorrow evening."
With that, everyone stood and made their way towards the door. When they opened it, they all scattered different directions, making their way back to their rooms or to their families. Mihara, Shoen, and Sylvia walked silently upstairs. Once they walked past Shoen's room, he mumbled a 'good night' to the girls and walked inside. Sylvia halted in her movement for a moment. "Umm...Mihara?"
"Yeah...?" she turned and faced her friend.
"Uh...do you mind if I hang with you a bit tonight?"
"No. Come on. I'm probably just gonna...stay in my room the rest of the night." Mihara shrugged.
"Okay... Thanks."
"No problem."
The two girls made their way into Mihara's room. The female hawk laguz flipped her light on and Sylvia shut the door behind her.
XxXxXxX
It must've been three in the morning, at least. Mihara turned over once again and opened her eyes. She wasn't tired. She was antsy. It wasn't because it was now her birthday, she told herself, scoffing dryly. She finally threw the covers off and got out of her bed, being careful not to disturb Sylvia, who appeared to be having slightly better luck than her in the sleeping department. Silvan's story must have really upset her. Mihara hadn't even changed into her pajamas for sleeping. Her regular clothes were warmer.
She walked over to her balcony doors and looked out them. There was not a stirring sign of life outside. She cracked the door open and creeped outside, closing the door behind her. The snow on her balcony crunched lightly. While the chill on her bare feet felt good, she shivered slightly. She inhaled the crisp air deeply, closing her eyes and enjoying the light breeze. However, she snapped her eyes open with alarm. She smelled something... Something on the wind...
She jumped onto the guardrail she had on her balcony and looked out towards the fields and mountains, her eyes scanning the landscape. She jumped slightly when a small mound of small slipped from the roof and hit her on her head. Just as she turned to look up, someone tackled her off the guardrail, aiming her towards the ground. Mihara only had enough time to fold in her wings before she was slammed to the ground.
Kyo hovered above her in the air. "Hello there, Hawk Princess."
XxXxXxX
Ranulf and Ike muttered to themselves. The ship they were on was almost crowded. After Nailah invited herself and Volug along to Altiaire, then Marcia had magically appeared with an otter laguz who said she had urgent business in the hawk and raven country. Even when Ike asked her who she was, she (looked excited?) kept to herself and retreated to elsewhere on the ship.
At the moment, they were about three-quarters of the way through their voyage. They had set out late since it took a while to convince Skrimir to let Ranulf go with them. Ranulf stood towards the bow of the ship, watching the waves, occasionally flicking his ears this way and that. Ike came up behind him. "Hey, Ranulf. How are you hanging up? I know you don't care for sailing..."
Ranulf continued staring forward. "...Ike. Something's wrong."
The blue haired man frowned. "Wrong? Like what?"
"I smell...a dragon on the wind. It's...incredibly recent. Also...it smells like..." he lowered his voice. "That dragon that attacked Tibarn and Shoen in Gallia."
Ike processed this. "...Are you sure?"
"I'm positive." Ranulf growled in his throat. "I know Tibarn can stop him, but still... He's really strong."
Ike looked up towards the waning crescent moon. "They'll be okay, Ranulf. Don't worry too much."
XxXxXxX
Me: Oh my gosh! The drama begin-eth again!
Mihara: ...Great.
Me: Well, this is exam week and then I have a week of freedom before I go to Commissioner's School, so just MAYBE I'll get another chapter up before then.
Mihara: Yeah, good luck with that.
Me: Hey...! It could happen! Anyway, please review! I love you allll! (puppy face)
Phoecia – fee-oh-shee-uh (yes, lame pronunciation thing, but it's how to say it!)
Aeonics – onyx, like the stone
Also...continue scrolling if you want a
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When the two finally broke for air, they kept their foreheads touching. Ranulf looked lovingly into her eyes again. "Mihara...I love you."
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Well, that's just something to keep you all hoping for the next chapter! (innocent smile)
