Part Twenty:
Yuui sat at the head of the table, since he was the highest ranking; however, the attention was certainly not on him. He decided it was best to keep his mouth shut and let Boris do his work. The man made rudeness into an art form, and Yuui was starting to be grateful he wasn't on Boris' bad side. Fai was a piker in bad behavior next to this man.
"...and Olena is quite accomplished in music," the duchess said, referring to her eighteen year old granddaughter. "Didn't Ashura have you musically trained, too, Yuui?"
"Yes, but I haven't had time to keep up with it since I'm studying for my D title," Yuui admitted, missing playing his violin. Ashura had always encouraged other pursuits besides magic. Yuui was drawn to music and was talented with it. Fai, on the other hand, had a real talent for art.
"Maybe we could play together, Master Yuui?" Olena asked, giving him a smile and batting her eyes at him. He kept from flinching, but couldn't find the strength to plaster on a fake smile like Fai. He never could put up a veneer like his twin.
"I'm sure you'd just love playing with the prince," Boris quipped, heavy on the innuendo as he draped his leg over his chair's arm.
Yuui felt Olena get embarrassed and angry, as did Duchess Naidra Harvoan. He also felt Boris was getting a distinct pleasure from aggravating the women at the table. Yuui knew she wouldn't stoop to challenging him on his meaning. That would be too vulgar in this situation. Instead, she went to a more direct assault.
"And once again, what do you do? Govern a backwater, conquered land?"
"I do something productive with my time rather than pimp out girls," Boris replied as he snatched a piece of roast beef from a plater and then popped it in his mouth. Then he licked every finger on his left hand in a protracted, disgusting, and sexually suggestive way.
"You are impertinent! I'll talk to my nephew about his appointments when he gets back," Naidra said.
"I hope he fires me. It'd be a perfect solution! I could then pursue a new hobby. Like courting one of your granddaughters, since they're up for auction."
"You pig!" The duchess turned to Yuui as she stood and tossed down her napkin. "You get rid of this man or I will tell Ashura. We will have a privet conversation over breakfast tomorrow. Get used to the idea." With that, she turned to her granddaughters and said, "Come, girls. I won't have you exposed to such a vulgar person."
Boris hoisted his feet up and slammed them on the table right next to the duchess' plate of food. "Giving up already? I was looking forward to a real game."
"You wait, you toad," Naidra said. Her eyes narrowed and she leaned towards Boris with a knowing smirk. "Don't get in my way. You'll just harm yourself."
Boris met her gaze, matching every bit of nastiness. He spared Yuui a passing, somber glance, before meeting her harsh gaze again. He then said, "Some things are worth harming yourself over. May as well head towards the cliff at full speed, Duchess. We'll see who cries 'uncle' first."
The duchess and her granddaughters left in a flurry. Once they where gone, Zellen busted out in laugher. "Oh my! That was the best dinner party I've been invited to! Governor, you're my new hero!"
Boris waved his hand in the air. "Bah! That type of woman won't give up easily. She's hellbent on getting the prince under her control. If you are his friend, you'll keep your eyes open for anything underhanded."
"There is a more important matter I need both of you to help me with. I'm going to trust you both with a family secret. I'm hoping you'll aid me on my quest."
"Yu, I'd do anything to help you. We're friends, after all. What's got you so upset?" Zellen asked, getting concerned.
"Something to do with King Ashura, no doubt?" Boris guessed.
Yuui quivered and nodded. "I guess you noticed my research."
"Of course. So... why don't we find a private place to go talk?" Boris asked. "I have a feeling we could have eavesdroppers."
"Follow me," Yuui said, leading them from the dinning hall.
"Kuroga-gi, let me in or you'll have to explain to you father why I slept at your doorway," Fai, now freshly bathed and mud free, threatened.
Kurogane open the door and glared at the mage. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Do you really want to test me?"
Kurogane snatched Fai by the arm and yanked him in his room at the inn. "Would you keep your mouth shut?" he snarled, squeezing his upper arm.
"Ow... Kurgs, loosen up unless you're inviting me to play around," Fai said, baffled at Kurogane's frigid hostility. Kurogane yanked Fai out of the room, down the hallway, and onto a deck where they were far apart from others. The rain still poured, but there was an overhang keeping them dry. "You've been rather cranky lately. What's gotten into you?"
"Kentaro knows about us."
Fai dropped his teasing; something was very serious in Kurogane's manners. "Oh... How much of a problem is that?"
"A big one. He's not going to tell my parents unless I agree to certain things."
"Certain things?"
Kurogane grew grave and he let go of Fai's arm. "It seems my mother is trying to find me a bride." Fai's mouth got dry and his stomach soured. He was stunned silent. "It's not something I want. Please understand that clearly. I want to be with you for as long as I can."
"How much longer will that be?" Fai finally asked, his throat almost too dry to talk.
"I don't know. It depends when she finds someone suitable. Even then, I'm sure I won't want to give you up."
Fai felt the color drain from his face. He pushed on a false smile to cover how offended he felt at what Kurogane was implying. He turned to watch the rain. "So Kuro-sama wants me to be his, for lack of a better term, concubine?"
"I'll try to delay this as long as I can. I'm hoping to put it off at least until you have to go back to Celes. I don't want to dishonor you or my parents by continuing our relationship if I'm forced into marriage. But I know that I'll still want only you."
Fai nodded and calmed down after Kurogane became more clear. "I'll trust you to do what you can. In the meanwhile, we'll take what we can."
"I'll do everything within my power to delay it. I promise that," Kurogane said.
Fyodor looked over at his two companions: Gosha and Igus. They looked as spooked out as he felt. The three of them drew late night guard patrol for the bandit's encampment. It was only sleeting so the weather wasn't so bad. It was the rumors that caused a chill.
"I don't believe that. Ty's whole camp demolished? And his whole band murdered?" Fyodor asked, hoping they'd say it was a twisted joke they were playing.
Igus shook his head and said, "It was true. Adrik's band found the whole scene. The bodies were all torn apart with hexes, all of them drained of their blood."
"I heard their heads were all on pikes," Gosha said, with wide, worried eyes.
"Pikes? Really? Not in two thousand years have pikes been used. That one mad king... Rummovan? Yeah, that's the bastard. His own son ended up killing him and taking over. He put the old man's head on a pike and declared that would be the last of it," Fyodor said.
"What do you think it is?" Igus asked. "They say it was a beast like a werewolf."
"Are you kidding me? Werewolves haven't been around in two thousand years, either. Not since Mad King Rummovan. I think it was simply an attacking rival band of bandits. That's why we're on this extra guard duty. No one is going to take chances," Fyodor said.
"Aren't we all supposed to be allies now?" Gosha asked.
"Yeah, but would you trust a fellow bandit? We steal and rape, for goodness sakes," Fyodor replied.
The three of them chuckled and huddled a little closer to their campfire that was yards away from the tents of the eight sleeping bandits in their band. They suddenly felt a wind whip through the night air. The tingle of magic crackled in the tree line; there was a bright, green glow.
The three of them rose and grabbed their swords. Fyodor called out, "Who's there!"
Moments later a tall, dark haired man walked from the darkness of the woods. The man wore the finest robes, but they were blood stained along with the man's pale skin. He held up his right hand, fingers twisted like claws of a wild mountain cat. His left hand aimed his magic staff towards them.
"Don't you recognize your king?"
"King Ashura?" Igus asked and then bolted towards the camp. A greenish light lashed out and crushed the man's head.
Fyodor dropped his sword in shock at the gore now on the snowy ground. "You just killed him! We surrender!"
"I no longer give quarter to thieves and rapists," Ashura said, moving his staff towards Fyodor. Minutes later the man felt excruciating pain and then fell dead into the snow.
"And you both have sworn to me to keep King Ashura's secret. I know you'll keep it," Yuui said, reminding them of their promises before he divulged the secret of the curse. They were standing on the far north battlement of Luval. A light summer's sleet fell around the three of them.
"I won't tell a soul," Zellen swore, solemnly.
"This is bad, indeed. And yes, have no fear. I despise loose tongued people," Boris affirmed. "We'll have to get the king back here for the treatment. Do you think he'll be back soon?"
"I don't know. This isn't like him. I really need to find him, quickly, before he harms anyone. It could be any day now. Please help me get out of the castle."
"Well, that's easy. I'll wear a glamor and play you," Zellen said, brightly. "It'll be like a big practical joke. But... I don't like the idea of you going out there with a bunch of bandits and such. They can be dangerous, too."
"I've been known to cast a few hexes. I'll go with the prince," Boris offered. "Just don't get caught, or they'll send constables out."
"Don't worry, I got this handled." Zellen lofted his hand, traced yellow runes in the air, and pointed at his face. Yuui felt his breath leave him; he started to shiver and tear up.
"Yu? Are you okay?"
Yuui looked at his friend that was now wearing his face. "For a minute, it was like having Fai back. I just wasn't prepared."
"Well then, I'll have to put more of a mope in my act," Zellen said. He turned to Boris and then said, "Please watch after Yuui."
"Don't worry about his pretty, little head. It'll be back here by the end of the week," Boris said, lofting his staff. He closed his hazel eyes and started smiling. "Awe, Celes ley lines. Are you going to let me travel to Vercasta? I thought so. Ready to go, Highness?"
"Yes. Take care, Zel."
"I've got this covered."
The governor started writing in the air with the casting tip of his silver and fluorite staff. Yuui felt Boris' purple rune set snake out towards him, engulfing him. Within seconds, he and the governor landed in Vercasta's town square.
Zellen toughened himself for whatever was to come his way at breakfast. He hoped he could fake Yuui's personality enough to fool Duchess Naidra and Mayor Dayken. After all, Zellen didn't have a shy bone in his body. The duchess arrived, once again, with all her granddaughters. Milcent served them breakfast, everyone was silent.
"Milcent, where is Mayor Dayken?" Zellen finally asked, hoping the man would be absent.
"He had to consult with Vlad D Klaus before sending him off to Valeria, Master Yuui."
"Good."
"Will your gusts be having breakfast?" Milcent asked. The duchess shot him a condescending, challenging glare. Zellen slumped his shoulders and shook his head as if the woman had corned him. Yuui, when stressed, would use fewer and fewer words and would stop looking people in the eyes. Milcent gave him a sympathetic smile and said, "Very good, Master Yuui."
The girl left quickly after everyone started eating. "So, Yuui, last night, before we were rudely interrupted, I didn't get a chance to reacquainted you with my other two granddaughters. You remember Drysi and Bresha?"
Zellen glanced over, careful to not give them a direct look. Olena, no doubt still angry over last night, was scowling at her breakfast. Bresha, the thirteen year old, gave him a charming smile. She seemed like a cute, sweet child. It was Drysi, the middle girl, that intrigued him. She looked to be as shy as Yuui, if not more so. And it was a shame, she was certainly the prettiest one of the lot.
"So I believe we were talking music? This afternoon you and Olena should have some practice," the duchess said. Zellen mental kicked himself, he couldn't play a note.
"I'm really busy this afternoon with my studies," he mumbled softly, gluing his eyes to his plate.
"You spend too much time in Ashura's library. He's not introducing you to some of the finer things in society. Look at your brother's behavior and what it's done for him to not attend more parties and develop proper hobbies."
Zellen felt his teeth grit. He was grateful Yuui wasn't here to hear the slam against Fai. He'd be pissed. Zellen glowered at Duchess Naidra. "Fai makes his own messes. That's not King Ashura's fault. Besides, he has art as a hobby."
Zellen noticed Drysi perk up at the mention of art. She had the most charming blush come to her cheeks when she noticed Zellen staring at her. He wanted to give her a reassuring smile, but that wouldn't be Yuui-like behavior.
"Well, I think you should put aside your studies this afternoon and have a picnic with us. "It might help your demeanor."
Zellen thought of declining, but it would be like Yuui-like behavior to get bullied into something as silly as a picnic. Another thing that convinced him would be his chance at trying to break though Drysi's shyness. It would be a challenge since he was playing Yuui, Mister Bashful himself. It was fine, Zellen was up to the challenge.
"I'll go," he said softly.
:So that's the mage?: Schuldig project the thought to his unconventional family. The four members of Schwarz were laying on a cliff above where the group of ninja's and the mage road their horses. :We can take this batch.:
:I told you, when the mage has a bitter argument with that man, the one with the dragon tattoo, that's when we take them. They'll be too busy exchanging nasty words to see us. They won't be paying attention to us. These men are too weary right now,: Brad's thoughts traveled over Schuldig's established, telepathic link.
:I hope soon,: Nagi's thought traveled to the group.
:When the trees turn pink again. Some time right as winter is giving way to spring. So let's get supplies and settle in. I don't want to be bothered by that Takatori brat until we have a chance to grab the mage,: Brad thought.
"Welcome home," Lady Suwa said as the group came riding up. She didn't miss how they all looked weary from their travels. They dismounted their horses, and the grooms fetched them. Lord Suwa walked up to her, decidedly looking vexed. Her son looked equally vexed, as did Kentaro. The two other ninjas that went along took their leave with Kentaro. The only one with a smile was the blond mage, and Lady Suwa suspected that was forced.
A wind swept through the courtyard and white flakes drifted down. It was the first snow. The mage looked up and his face truly brightened. "Look, Kuro-lu! Snow! Finally!" As if re-energized, the mage start skipping around the yard, arms held high as he tried to catch the flakes.
"I told you it was coming," Kurogane said. "You just had to be patient."
"I'm so thrilled. I hope it sticks, but the ground seems too warm."
"It is," Lord Suwa said. "Kurogane, you and the mage go get cleaned up for dinner."
"Yes, sir," Kurogane said. It was a struggle wrangling Fai, but Kurogane finally managed to drag him inside.
"What's wrong, Hondo?" Lady Suwa asked.
"It's Kurogane. He's very changed. He seemed uptight, like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. When I asked him to share what was bothering him, he refused to say."
"He's a man now. Maybe he wants to try to solve his problems on his own?"
"I don't know. It seems to be pretty large. Why don't you try talking to him after dinner, Hitomi?"
"I will. Maybe the news I have for him will lighten his spirits."
"Oh?"
"I selected a bride for him," Lady Suwa said, pleased at her husband's sudden smile at the news.
"And who is the unlucky girl that has to put up with our crabby son?"
"Aya Fujimiya."
To be continued.
