Part Thirty:
Kurogane swung Ginryuu upwards and hit Ran's hand with the flat of his blade. Ran's katana dropped. He brought Ginryuu's tip to Ran's throat. His eyes narrowed and there was a part of him that wanted to take Ran's life.
But there was a part of him that knew if he did, this wouldn't end. Ran's allies would come for him next, and then his father would be obligated to go after them. He'd rather worry about Fai than if he were going to be called out to fight over the next several months. Instead, he lowered his sword, Ran looked shocked.
"Winner is Kurogane of Suwa," Mamoru announced.
"You didn't kill me? Why?" Ran asked, his eyes narrow and hostile.
"Because. I've learned that it takes true strength to offer forgiveness. I thought I wanted to take your life, but it won't heal my mage. It's enough that I beat you. If you have sense, you'll not offend me again."
There was long silence. Lord Suwa finally said, "I couldn't be more proud of you, Kurogane. To know when to use justice or mercy is the sign that you're a man of character. It would have been your right to take Ran's life, but you've granted forgiveness. He could learn from you, so he can move on and put his talents to better use, maybe even mend his relationship with Shinon."
Kurogane sheathed Ginryuu and bowed to his father. He then turned to Ran. "As far as I'm concerned, my mage's honor is satisfied."
"You know the marriage is off," Ran said in brittle vindictiveness.
"I thought that went without saying," Kurogane said. "You can take your allies, sister, and horse back to Tsukiyono."
Ran picked up his katana and sheathed it, silent and looking extremely ashamed. Lord Suwa said, "Ran, I urge to you go back to Shinon and make amends with him. This time, learn from his wise council rather than argue with him all the time."
Ran didn't say anything, but marched off towards the guest quarters. Mamoru turned to Lord Suwa. "I hope one day I can rule Tsukiyono with wisdom like you rule Suwa. I admire you and thank you for not judging Ran too harshly. He and his parents didn't have an agreeable relationship before they were killed; he experienced so many regrets. It's what strained his wakashudo arrangement with Shinon. I'll urge him to go back to his master, too."
"If Tsukiyono needs anything, just ask. We're still allies," Lord Suwa confirmed.
"Thank you." Mamoru left to the guest quarters as well.
Lord Suwa turned to his son. "You make me proud to be a father."
"I'd been afraid I'd never hear those words again."
"Sometimes a heart chooses its own way. You should have lunch with me, and we can talk. We haven't had time to talk about what occurred between you and the mage. I'd like to understand. I admit, it's still not something I'd consider ideal or endorse, but I'll hear you out."
"Thank you, Father." Kurogane felt a sense of relief. Everything was in the open about Fai, and his issues with Ran were settled.
Now he had a chance to explain how he came to love his mage to Lord Suwa. That was the easy part, because he was very clear about his feelings for Fai, and now he felt no fear of recrimination from his parents. "I have to say, when I look back on everything, it had to have started on Celes in that fire tower we were stranded in. We were headed back with two demons encased in glass and needed to find shelter."
Kurogane and his father went into the main house and had a private lunch. Over that, he told his father how he came to have intimacy with Fai without any details that would be embarrassing.
"Can I ask you, one thing. The mage claimed he was pure before he met you. Was that true? You approached him first?"
"Yes. I did. He was pure. I was the one that approached him. Why do you ask?"
"Because, now I wonder if you'll ever consider a woman as your mate."
"I never thought of choosing a mate before I met Fai. I didn't chose Fai because he's male. If he was a woman, I'd marry him now. I chose Fai because he's Fai."
"I know. You were like that when you were a teenager; you know, apathetic about finding a mate. You were always focused on fighting, not on anything amorous. Your mother and I never worried about you sneaking out at night for a romantic rendezvous. We joked behind your back about you becoming a priest from time to time."
"Fai isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. He's full of guile. He lies easily and is lazy and disobedient. He's a twin, which means I have to accommodate that. You'd be surprised about how much I have to take into consideration with him being a twin. But he also has a heart of gold. He goes out of his way to be kind and generous. He's so incredibly intelligent. He's also a very competent fighter and can handle himself very well in the heat of battle. He's everything I could want in a mate."
"I've seen all that. He's very likable. Even his bad habits have a certain charm. You're mother likes his as well. She's working very hard to heal him."
"I know, and I'm so grateful to her. I have faith she'll do everything she can to save my mage."
"I have faith in her, too."
"I'll send the letter to Princess Tomoyo tomorrow morning if he hasn't woken up."
"Father, I really feel as though I need to answer any recrimination King Ashura or Yuui may have. I know you want to protect me, but I'm a man now. I need to answer for my own actions. I vowed that I'd use all my strength to protect him. I didn't do that, therefore, I'll answer to his father and brother."
"It is time for you to handle your own affairs. I was planning on taking anything he demanded on my shoulders, but you are the one that needs to answer to the ice king. I'll support you any way I can, though."
"Thank you, Father, for trusting me and letting me stretch my wings. It shows you have faith in me."
"I have faith you'll take everything your mother and I taught you and apply it to your life. Like I said, I'm not comfortable yet with your relationship with the mage, yet, but give me time."
Kurogane had a lighter heart. Even if he lost Fai, at least he was honest with his father about his relationship. He was true to himself and that was a comfort.
Zellen had felt his stomach sink when his aunt presented him with the arrest warrant. It cited Drysi Vagin as a person that had committed treason against the crown. Apparently, her grandmother claimed that Drysi was the one that came up with the love potion scheme against Yuui. The duchess was trying to deflect blame from her conspiring with the bandits and place it onto Drysi's shoulders.
"What do I do, Aunt Tanya?"
"I don't know. But I have to hand over Drysi to King Ashura."
"Please don't."
"I must! I am the mayor of Kella, and I am compelled to do as King Ashura bids. It pains me to turn her over to this unjust accusation. I've grown to love her and I love you, too. Listen, go with her to Luval Castle and support her. You're her husband and you need to be by her side."
"I will, but what if the duchess persuades King Ashura? I don't even understand why she's doing this! This is her own flesh and blood! She was the one that drugged my tea."
"She's trying to alleviate her own culpability so her punishment won't be as harsh. Just remember, it'll be your job to protect and support Drysi, no matter what. You understand?"
"I'll defend her against this. She's my wife. It's my duty to stand beside her. I just love her so much."
"Mayor Tanya! There are constables from Luval at the door!" her maid burst into the study and said in wide-eyed shock. "They're looking for Lady Drysi."
"I know. Let them in and show them to my study. Tell them that Lady Drysi will meet with them in a moment."
The maid curtsied and left. Tanya turned to Zellen and said, "Go get her and go with her to Luval."
"I won't leave her side until I can bring her back to Kella."
"I wouldn't expect you to leave her. Keep me informed."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, before bolting from the study. He had no idea how he'd protect Drysi, but he was bound and determined to not let her feel alone or as if she had no support. If she had one person in the world she could count on, Zellen wanted to be that person.
"Kurogane!" He jolted after lunch and looked towards the doorway where his mother stood in wide-eyed concern. "Come quick! Your mage, he's taking a turn for the worse!"
Kurogane bolted to his feet, as did his father. They followed Lady Suwa to her prayer room where Aya-chan was praying very intensely. Fai's body was jerking around, involuntary, he was still unconscious. His eyes were rolled back. Kurogane ached seeing his mage like this. He silently prayed his mage would pass away soon, if this was what the rest of his life was going to be like.
Fai's body stilled, Kurogane sank to his knees and brushed back Fai's blond bangs. "Please, wake up, pampered snot. I don't want you to hang out with Captain Demetri yet. Your father will never forgive me, and I'll never forgive myself. Stop being such a spoiled brat and come back to me."
"His aura, it's diminishing. Kurogane, I think it's time for you to say your goodbyes, now. I don't think there will any more time."
"Are you sure?" Lord Suwa asked.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the mage of Celes is dying now."
Lord Suwa turned to Aya-chan and said, "Please go to your brother. Thank you for all your efforts."
"Yes, sir," she said solemnly and left.
"Let's leave our son to bid his mage farewell," Lord Suwa said.
"Kurogane, please give yourself permission to grieve and not hold it in. It'll only cause irrational anger, and then you'll grow bitter," Lady Suwa said.
"I will grieve his loss," Kurogane said numbly, taking Fai's hand. His eyes didn't leave the mage's face once. He heard his parents leave.
"Mage, I love you. I know I don't say it very much, but I do. You are the only person who's ever truly gotten under my skin, and you've changed me for the better. I'll honor you for the rest of my life. I'll even honor your traditions and have you burnt and have your ashes scattered. I just pray your father will let me do it here so I can be near you for the rest of my life."
Kurogane felt tears roll down his cheeks. He held Fai's hand tighter and closed his eyes. He prayed to his ancestors to accept Fai and judge him righteous in spite of his flaws. Kurogane felt a sob forced from his chest as Fai's skin grew colder.
"Please don't go," he begged Fai. "I won't forgive you if you leave me now. We have more time left before your father comes."
Kurogane's head slumped and his thoughts started going down a path of bitterness. Now, holding his dying lover's hand in his, he was starting to wish he had loosed his rage on Ran. No, he shook his head; he would never violate his ethics. He wouldn't hold Ran responsible any more. He beat him, and that was that. Still, his pain wanted to lash out and cause more pain.
And then, there was the slightest tug on his hand and the name "Yuui" spoken. Kurogane's eyes popped open.
"Fai! You're still here!"
"Yuui...Yuui...Yuui..."
"He's not here. I'll go get Princess Tomoyo to send me to Celes and bring him here if it means you'll come back to me. Just say you're here."
Fai's blue eyes opened slowly. He was blurry and confused. "Yuui! I need Yuui! I don't want bad stuff to happen to Yuui!"
Kurogane felt stunned for a minute and then a sinking feeling. There was something not right about Fai's mannerisms. "How old are you, Fai?"
"Five." Fai shivered and looked at Kurogane, utterly terrified. He asked softly, "Who are you?"
Kurogane's stomach sank. Fai didn't know him at all, and he didn't know the love and care he'd received from King Ashura. That meant he was going to have to deal with a very damaged, abused child.
Zellen tried very hard to not get upset at seeing Drysi in handcuffs. She was upset enough and she needed him to be strong. They arrived at Luval Castle via Ashura's royal sled. The moment they arrived, Drysi was going to be whisked off to the dungeon. Luval's dungeon, rather than underground, was located in the south tower.
"Please let me say goodbye," Zellen pleaded with the captain of Luval's constables. The man had known him because of his friendship with Yuui.
He sighed and nodded. "Make it quick."
Zellen turned to Drysi. "Don't worry. I'll talk to King Ashura and get this taken care of. He believed you had nothing to do with it last time. I'll find out what changed his mind."
"I'm really afraid."
"I know you are. I'll visit with you after I talk to the king."
Drysi was then taken by the constables. Zellen inquired about where the king was from a valet. The king was in his botanical garden. He rush to the Luval's inner garden. The king sat on the edge of a water fountain, reading a book. He set the book aside and gave Zellen a smile.
"Come in, Zellen. What's with the long face?"
"Drysi has been arrested, Highness. Why?"
Ashura's expression grew less light. "I'm afraid my aunt left me no choice. When she was brought before the court, she maintained that Drysi was the one with the idea to give you the love potion and that she knew about the bandits all along. I need to investigate the charges."
"But she didn't know about any of it. I promise she's innocent. Please, please let her go. Her grandmother is lying."
"Treason is a serious charge that I cannot over look. Listen, I've always liked Drysi, she's like a niece to me, but if my own aunt has betrayed me..."
"But, Highness, I know she hasn't betrayed you. She very loyal to you."
"Zellen, your love for her makes you blind. If she has nothing to hide, I'll clear her of the charges and then you can go home with her."
"She has nothing to hide."
"Good. You may stay in the twins' room while I conduct the investigation."
"Thank you, Highness."
Zellen left and went to see Drysi. She was in a cell, laying stomach down while weeping on the bed. The constable guarding the cell warned Zellen not to get close to the bars, because they were hexed.
"Drysi," he called out to her. She dried her eyes and walked over to the bars. "I talked to the king. His mind is open, but he insists on investigating the charges, because they're very serious."
"But I didn't know she plotted against King Ashura."
"Drysi, dear? Is that you? I warned you to come back to the Southlands or I'd be forced to reveal what I know."
Zellen heard the one voice he dreaded. A surge of fury erupted in his heart as he marched over to a cell three doors down. The duchess was standing in her cell, with a smug expression. When she saw Zellen, her expression grew nasty.
"You miserable, withered-up old bitch! Don't you talk to my wife!"
"You impertinent commoner! I'll pay you back for ruining my Drysi!"
"You better start telling the truth about Drysi or else!"
"You're a fool! When Ashura releases me, I'll see to it you'll be a miserable, unemployed healer!"
"I'm not afraid of you!"
"Grandmother, why are you doing this?" Drysi called out from her cell.
"Because you're remaining with this fraud! It's a humiliation I'm tired of dealing with. I explained it all in my letters," she said.
Zellen walked back to Drysi and asked, "Letters?"
Drysi was embarrassed now. She nodded. "She hasn't stopped writing me. I stopped telling you about the letters because she started writing some awful things about you. She started threatening to manipulate the council so you couldn't receive your D title."
"What?"
"I thought her threats were hollow and I didn't want to worry you while you were studying so hard."
"I don't understand why she's so desperate to separate us."
"She's afraid... I'll... that we'll have a baby. She doesn't want commoner blood in the family, because she considers it a disgrace. But I don't care. I'm so proud of you, and if one day we decide to have more to our relationship, then I'll be proud of any child we might have."
Zellen blushed at the idea of getting physical with Drysi. He hadn't so much as shared a kiss with her, not that he didn't want to, but he was waiting on Drysi to let him know if or when she was ready for his affection. He hadn't even told her about the alchemical formula he'd stumbled on to suppress her psychometry, afraid she'd perceive it as too forward.
"I'm afraid your visiting time is over," the constable said, looking very uncomfortable. The poor man had heard every word and undoubtedly wished he hadn't. "You can come back tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," Zellen said. "And, Duchess, you better not harass Drysi."
"I have nothing more to say," the woman announced. "Drysi knows what I want."
"Please don't leave me, no matter what she threatens," Zellen said. "I promise I'll get my D title no matter what she does."
"I trust you." When she said that, his heart skipped a beat. Hearing her say that meant everything to him.
"What's wrong with him?" Lord Suwa asked. He, Kurogane, and Lady Suwa stood at the door to the prayer room. Fai was balled up in a corner, looking very confused. He wouldn't stop trembling and insisting on seeing Yuui. He was terrified of his strange surroundings and he was terrified of Kurogane and his parents. Seeing Fai like this broke Kurogane's heart.
"He was traumatized and his memories are gone. He thinks he's a child again," Kurogane said. He approached Fai slowly and knelt in front of him. He slowly reached for Fai, but he flinched away, fear brimming in his beautiful eyes. Kurogane stopped trying to touch him and said, "Fai, you're older than you remember. Look at your hands."
Fai did as he was told. He nodded after the surprise faded. "Where am I?"
"You're in a place called Nihongo. This is my home and those are my parents, Lord and Lady Suwa."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Kurogane. We're... friends."
"Where is Yuui?"
"He's in another realm named Celes. He's safe and sound with your adoptive father."
"But I don't have a father."
"You do. He rescued you from Valeria. He's the king of Celes."
"Are you going to send me back to Valeria?" Fai asked, shaking horribly.
"You'll never go back to that cursed place. I swear it," Kurogane said. Fai relaxed a little, but he still appeared fearful. "You need to lay back down. We'll get you something to eat."
Fai crawled over to the futon and curled up under a blanket. Kurogane joined his parents at the door. "Mother, will this last?"
"I don't know, Son. There is a good chance he'll recover his memories soon."
"I hope so," Kurogane said, worried his Fai would never be the same.
To be continued.
