The First Chronicle
Chapter 1-Frontal Assault
"Princess Serenity? Princess? Milady?" asked a hesitant and slightly scared voice.
The eleven year old princess started and jumped, holding a pale and slender hand to her chest. "Eek! Um...sorry. Yes?" she asked, trying to regain her composure and act as the role of princess required her to do. That was the reason, of course, why Queen Selene and King Hyperion had sent her to finishing school. ‘Darn, caught daydreaming again. Thank goodness I was in my room, alone.'
The runner held out a letter with an official-looking seal, bowing, "A letter from your parents, the queen and the king, my princess." Without waiting for a reply, she zoomed out of the room, still curtseying.
Breaking open the silver seal, she read:
Dear Serenity,
Hi! Everyone misses you at home, and I the most. I still think it was unfair of Mother and Father to send you and not me to finishing school, but you said it's very dull. But I could use a change of scenery and some adventure...so I have to stay at home and act like a mature, younger daughter. Mother says to write you about interesting news.
Lady Caelestis of Dicte is already with you, but she says that three other fiefs in the land are sending their daughters to be finished. Being finished sounds really odd, as one might say about an object-like icing a cake. Are princesses and ladies always treated like that? Anyway, Lady Silvia is twelve, the same age as Celeste but one year older than you.
Everyone says her parents are sending her away not only to be a lady, but because the public is slightly frightened of the heir to Martius. It's rumored that the priests see her image in the fire often when "fortune-telling", as it's known by those that detest magic, and when she gets angry, strange things happen around her, especially with that element.
Do you think she has magic, like you? I still don't understand why lots and lots of people don't accept magic. It's so unique! Onward, Lady Dione of Aphros is coming too, she's ten like me. Everyone says that it's rumored that she'll be the most beautiful person in the land. She possesses blue eyes and blond hair, just as you do. Sometimes I think it must be wonderful to have hair like the sun and eyes like the water. Black hair and blue eyes are so dull sometimes.
And the hairstyle everyone calls meatballs! The third lady is Amiliane of Cyllene, the mysterious one. No one knows how old she is, but everyone here, from the servants to the nobles, whisper about her. No one's ever seen her because of what happened to her mother. And, of course, no one knows what happened to her mother! Human nature can be very idiotic. It's also rumored that the people of Cyllene are frightened of her, completely scared to death of a little girl even younger than I, and that the only person who loves her is her brother, Nereus.
Lord Nereus is heir to Cyllene, I think. I guess you'd like to know why people are scared of the lady of Cyllene? It's said that water seems to mirror her moods, like when she's sad, it rains. Do you think she has magic too? It's so interesting how all these magic wielders are turning up now! Of course, the only mage that's managed to escape persecution brings bad omens. I've got to finish this letter now, since Nurse says I have to go off to practice endless curtseys. Work hard and no more daydreaming, Sere!
Love,
Luna (Lady Luna of Eos, can't you imagine me rolling my eyes??)
With this, Serenity closed the letter and smiled fondly. Luna, although younger than her by about three years, was much more mature. The letter, written in a ten year old's slightly childish hand, still held a clear account of people. The princess sometimes thought her sister would make a much better future queen, with her maturity and organization. She would soon grow out of what was labeled "independence and childlike curiosity," with the help of her mother and the servants, of course. Leaving that issue for the moment, Serenity's mind wandered again as she thought of the three new girls she was going to meet.
~ * ~ * ~
Silvia slammed her trunk shut, eyes snapping with anger. So her parents were sending her away so the land of Martius would be free of her and get accustomed to their future ruler? It wasn't exactly HER fault the stupid priests always got everything wrong. Just because there tended to be some problems with fire outbreaks when she was angry....which was actually quite often.
Thinking about that, she flushed and finished packing her more personal belongings. Clothes and other necessities were packed by her servants, who feared her just as much as her future people. Some of them even refused to be in the same room as her, her personal maids staying on only for the salary. Silvia flung herself onto her luxurious bed, long raven hair cushioning her, crying a few silent tears. She was alone in the world. Her parents did love her, not being exactly sentimental in public but rationally caring.
However, they were quite busy as rulers of Martius, and she had no brothers or sisters. She had barely learned to ride a horse, and that was only sidesaddle. She dreaded the long, hot, and bumpy ride in the carriage all the way to the finishing school in the capital of all the joined lands, Eos. But there was a bright side. Maybe, just MAYBE, she hoped with all her heart, some girls at the finishing school wouldn't mind her oddities and become her friends. In her mind, the possibilities were slim.
~ * ~ * ~
Dione's eyes became teary as she closed her trunk. As it was loaded into the carriage, she looked at her family. Her mother hugged her and told her, as usual, to be good and kind to everyone, make a good impression on the princess, etc. Her father said not to grow up too quickly and that any young men she ran into better beware if they wanted to court her. She had laughed at that, albeit tearily. After all, the lady of Aphros was only ten. Turning to Cytherea, she smiled at the petite blond girl next to her, tugging on the elegant gold dress. "Dione, are you going to come back soon? Like, in an hour or so?"
Sniffling, Dione knelt down next to her baby sister and said, "'Rea, I won't be back for maybe years. At LEAST until the next great holiday, and that's a few months away. But it's okay, I'll write to Artemis, okay? He can read all my letters out loud to you."
Looking unconvinced and not really understanding the situation, the puzzled six year old stared into her older sister's blue eyes with her own green ones and asked, "Well, I guess it's okay if you say so. You and Artemis are always right. But you promise to write lots and lots?"
"Of course I will, don't you worry." With that, Dione turned to her twin. Artemis was watching her, as always. "Artemis, what am I going to do without you?"
The white-haired boy was barely holding back his own tears as he smiled sadly at his sister, no, his best friend. "We will get to visit each other sometime, I hope, and you said you would write.. lots and lots,"Artemis managed to get out as they laughed a bit, and Cytherea gave them a quizzical look, feeling left out until she decided she would join in even if she didn't understand the joke.
The laughter quickly died as both became more subdued. "I'll miss you too, Dione," he said letting some of the tears trail down his face as she threw herself into his strong and loyal arms and sobbed."It will be ok! Just think, next time I see you, you will be all prim and proper, but don't change too much! And don't forget the...you know!" he exclaimed in an attempt to cheer her up.
Pulling away she wiped her eyes free of tears though there were still clear trails down her face and her eyes were red. "Just look at me... crying like a baby and as red as a newborn one," she sniffled, "I'll get to see you on the next holiday. It won't be that bad," she said to him, but it was more to convince herself than anything. She copied the obscure signal he had made before and nodded in agreement.
The annoyed look the driver of the carriage was giving them and the horses pawing the ground brought the two back to reality, and Dione reaffirmed her resolve. Biting her quivering lip she said a final good bye to everyone before getting into the carriage which started with a jolt.
Looking back once she quickly pulled her head back in for fear of telling the driver to stop and running back. She could do this... she would do this! Her parents hadn't spent so much money and time planning her future for her to be a weakling and turn back now! This was the best thing. She had to keep repeating it to herself as the carriage moved on leaving the only home she knew, further and further behind.
~ * ~ * ~
Amiliane sat down forlornly in her empty room, belongings having been sent to the carriage already. She knew that at the finishing school, she was supposed to meet other girls that were leaving now as well, but since her land was farthest from Eos, she would get there last. Her father had just come in, hugged and kissed her on the cheek briefly, and left. Alipes had said he had some important business matters to deal with, behave, be good, to try to give honor to her family, and that he would send for her to come home soon if she met his standards. She scoffed at that.
Amiliane knew very well that most noble girls went to finishing school to be finished, thus the name of the institution, and almost all of them never came home. Unless they were heirs, rather rare, the ladies went and married some lord, baron, earl, knight, or other pompous noble man of ranking. They got married, had pretty children, and lived the exceedingly boring and insignificant life of the noble man's wife, lady of the fief.
Well, Amiliane thought to herself, at least she didn't have to worry about that. Her father had never told the king and queen of their land of dawn that she was born, but the birth of her elder brother had been proclaimed. That was because he was the heir of Cyllene. And even if she got to start life anew, anytime she got sad, it would start raining.
The tiny blue haired girl loved rain, but it seemed the farmers and people of Cyllene didn't like it. Once, during the rainy season, she had caused a flood, but it wasn't her fault....really, she had no control over it. That had been two years ago, she had been six. Now, of course, she was eight. Although her father had never gotten a governess for her, the scholar that taught her brother was kind and open-minded enough to teach her as well. Even though it was done in secret, there was no need for it.
Alipes had barely remembered his daughter, and as far as he was concerned, she would leave home until she was fifteen. Then he would make a good marriage that would profit Cyllene and be rid of her. Although she was so lost in her thoughts, she noticed when the door opened noiselessly. "Hello, Nereus."
As she turned around slowly, the twelve year old jumped. Breathing hard, he said, "Ami, I'll never know how you do that. I was using magic, just learned from my previous lesson! You can't have had a chance to learn how to detect it yet....."
She grinned at him, a rare occurrence that she saved only for her brother, and said, "I don't believe I know how to do it either. The same thing goes for rain. I don't have magic either, remember? I'm just possessed."
He watched her silently for a minute, marveling at the eight year old's intelligence. She could have been a child of eleven or even twelve, as he was. "Ami, are you going to be okay there?"
This time her smile vanished. Bitterly, as she had ended her sentences before, she said, "And if I'm not, I'll cry bucketfuls and flood Eos. It's not like I have a choice, either."
"Father wouldn't notice if you stayed," he said softly.
Blue eyes pierced green ones, so alike in shape in size. The only difference was the hues of the pupils. "I will not, I REFUSE to live like this anymore, keeping out of everyone's way. The only useful things I learn are from you and your tutor. I'm a boring, useless noble lady, and we both know it. I do not want to claim the position of someone famed across the land, but it would be wonderful to be needed, loved, useful."
"Women are known to be knights, although there has only been one in the last one thousand years or so. You ARE needed and loved. To me, if not Father. To people you will meet that will also love you."
Scoffing at this, her gentle voice still held no resentment as she said, "I'm not strong enough, and we both know it. Even though you taught he to ride a horse and not sidesaddle, I can't ride for very long."
Although she showed distrust in his words, she still hoped. Nereus didn't have magic powerful enough so that it needed to be trained, but his strongest power was what seers did-future sensing, looking ahead.
Before Nereus could reply, the whinnying of horses was heard outside, and a servant came in. "Lady Ami, your carriage is ready. Your father said he is unable to see you off, but he says he already said goodbye. Say goodbye to your brother and hurry, you have a long journey."
Ami smiled at the plump, matronly woman who had been and still was, in a sense, her nurse. "Goodbye Nurse, and thank you so much for raising me."
Blowing her large red nose, the woman hugged her tightly and said, "It was nothing dearie. The gods be with you and take care of yourself, and watch how you cry!"
When she hurried out of the room, Nereus escorted his sister down the cold, dank hall. When she hugged him and started crying, he held back his own tears and sighed. Holding out his clean handkerchief, he said, "Don't cry, it won't be a good farewell if you drown Cyllene again."
Sniffling, Amiliane said, "Goodbye. Do you think I shall ever see you again?"
Amazed at how she was asking the question so calmly, he replied, "I'm not sure. I'll try to visit you, though. And if you get married, I'll see you."
When she heard that, she laughed. "No one's going to marry me if I start watering everything in sight once I get sad. I'm not beautiful enough."
"Then don't be sad, cheer up. I'll write to you, when I have time. Who says you won't be a beauty? Don't forget, Amiliane, you are but eight. Eight year old that you are, you are still considered a child. And I, teasing brother that I am, think you will be even more beautiful when you are older than you are now. "
"No...Long letters?" she inquired, looking up at her tall brother with large blue eyes.
Nereus grinned, never able to resist her. "Of course," he said, helping her in. Waving as the carriage went out of sight, he wiped away several tears and sighed. Ami had always kept her promises, but now a few raindrops were falling while the sun was shining....
~ * ~ * ~
Prince Endymion, Kent, Nessus, Janus, and Zephyrus were grouped in the prince's room, talking about what had gone on that day, complaining about all their homework, upcoming celebrations, and what attractive ladies had arrived at court. Of course, discussions were a bit heady for the youngest members of their group, since Endymion, Darien to his friends, was fourteen years old, Kent was fifteen, Nessus was thirteen, and Zephyrus and Janus were twelve. The youngest two were the same age, but the former was older by a span of about two months.
A small knock at the door was heard, interrupting their discussion. A runner peered in and said, "Your Highness, the king, your father, and the magic master requests the audience of Zephyrus of Arcadia in the lesser antechamber."
Raising thin golden eyebrows at his friends, Zephyr followed the messenger out amidst usual whispers of:
"Ooh....did little Zephyr get in trouble?"
"Maybe he was discourteous to some lady, because he's too shy to say anything."
*snicker* "Mayhaps he walked into someone while reading an interesting, dusty old
scroll that rambles on and on about the use of one word for ages!"
"Quite a common occurrence, but I don't believe so. MAYHAPS," the boy said, lowering his voice confidentially, "just MAYHAPS, the all-brilliant one failed to answer a question correctly."
*laugh* "Poor Zephyr! First time it must be, for him. What a blow!"
"Aye, I agree."
"Good one, Janus."
Only Kent was silent, for the younger boy of three years was his best friend. Besides, he never jested much, so everyone outside of their little group said that he was stone-faced and stone-hearted.
Sweating slightly, the slight boy walked into the room that he had been summoned to and bowed to the king. "Your highness, Sir Alfred. You called for me?" He wiped moist palms on his green and brown tunic-the colors of the land. The teasing taunts his friends had sent with him were doing a better job than the boys had intended.
From his throne-like chair, King Pontus of Ceto rubbed his black beard and said, "Welcome, Zephyrus, heir and future ruler of Arcadia. Your instructor for magic would like to have a few words to you, in my presence. He has deemed it quite important news."
When he finished, Zephyr then turned to his teacher. "Sir?"
The silver-haired, not-quite-ancient man said, "Zephyrus, we are very pleased with your progression in your class, as you are top of the class and have been so since you came four years ago. Before you are tested for Mastery, however, you must study another two years at another famed school out of this capital. We have requested for you to be transferred to Cyllene, which has a library and scholars as knowledgeable as Arcadia."
Hiding his sorrow at departing from his friends, the blond bowed his head and fingered the ends of his curly hair. "If you will permit me the question, sir, when do I leave? And what shall happen to my knighthood?"
The king said, "Tomorrow. We are very sorry to have told at such short notice, but dealings with Cyllene were not finalized until this morning. You know it is quite difficult, belonging to the strong land of Eos. About your knighthood, I believe you can undergo even more extensive training there than here. But Cyllene, of course, is not the capital and thus does not have other pages. You will, however, have someone of your age traveling with you. He shall continue training with you."
When Pontus looked at Alfred, the robust man jumped and said quickly, "Oh yes. A companion of yours, I believe I have seen you two around together. Janus of Martiae is not as skilled as you in the areas of magic, but the other masters have agreed that his powers relating to auras must be trained more thoroughly. He shall make a good knight, just a tad bit impulsive."
Zephyr, although very fond of his friend, hid a groan inwardly. Sometimes Janus, prankster of their quintet, was so trying that he lost his temper. That was when the boy's wing was turned upside by the normally quiet Zephyr and very merry Janus. "Yes, sir, your Majesty. May I go and pack now?"
"Yes, of course. Dismissed, and good night, Zephyr. I trust you'll pass the word on to Janus?"
"Indeed, your Majesty. Good night to both of you." With that, he left, luminous green eyes glowing.
When he opened the door to Endymion's room, he was greeted (poor guy) with, "Hey Zephyr, how much trouble did you get in?"
Kent, silver eyes grim, asked, "You didn't REALLY break the Code of Chivalry and become too shy to talk to someone, did you?"
Although he usually had an enormously commendable amount of patience, Zephyrus lost it and denied vehemently, "Of course not! Now listen." Voice falsely cheerful, he said, "Be happy for me, for I am blessed. Honored to go to Cyllene, which, for some odd reason, borders my land yet belongs to Eos."
The quartet stared at him in silence, until Janus broke it and asked, "Are you kidding us?"
This time with even more joy in his tone, Zephyr continued, "Oh no, I'm deadly serious. By the way, Janus, were you aware that you're coming with me? For two whole years or so?"
Now the three laughed outright, thinking he was joking for sure. The expression on Janus's face was priceless-his mouth had dropped open at least two feet more than a normal person's should, and his bright blue eyes had widened as large as the dinner plates used in the seasonal banquets and frequent balls. Kent stopped first and asked, "You really ARE joking now, right? Tell us what they really said! You do not usually keep us waiting for so long."
Scowling deeply, the addressed replied, "Of course I'm not. I shall say goodbye to you tomorrow then, if you will finally be willing to understand when the carriage comes. I have to pack. Janus, unless you are expecting someone else to do it for you, I'd pack now."
In a rage, Zephyr flew to his room. Curiously, the other four followed to see if he was kidding. When they saw that he had yanked open his trunk and started stacking neatly folded piles of clothes in, Janus came in, since they shared a room. As the three followed, he asked, "You aren't joking, are you."
Since it sounded more like a statement than a question, the other blond verified it with a nod. "Glad I'm finally believed. Here's your trunk," he said, pulling it out. He then proceeded to throw it, disgruntled, at his friend. But he was very careful not to aim for vital objects-Zephyr wanted to became a healer-mage when he got his Mastery.
The other caught the heavy object and set it on his bed. While he began packing and joking to hide how upset he was, Endymion frowned and asked, "Why? We'll be losing two of our group!"
When everyone turned to Zephyrus for answers (as usual), he sighed and said, "They want to test me for Mastery." When gasps came from his friends, he wasn't surprised. He had been just as shocked before, now he was just feeling cold and scared. The youngest Master, from Ceto's vast records, had been thirty. "It's required that I study two years at someplace besides here. Then they can test me for Mastery. Janus is going, not for Mastery, but his aura sensing/training needs to be furthered. They say it'll be more advanced there." It meant he would be the youngest Master ever, at age fourteen-IF he survived the ordeal, of course.
"Then it shall be our last night together," said the unusually quiet Nessus. Being the best friend of Janus and Endymion, two very lively young boys, you needed to either be equally energetic or inhumanly patient.
"Hey...." said Darien slowly, "how come the stars didn't tell you anything?"
"Uh...uh..." he blushed and continued, "they know everything, but they don't always reveal it." He beamed broadly at his comeback while his friends groaned at his lack of originality. Since it WAS their last night together as five and everyone would be much changed when they became reacquainted, the quintet settled to help the pair pack and tell last stories and jokes in companionship until dawn came and the sun rose.
~* ~ * ~
Serenity was still in bed when Caelestis came in and threw open her lavish silver curtains, made from the best cloth money and power could buy. "Sere, wake up!"
*mumble* *groan* "Celeste, I don't WANNA wake up, can't you let me sleep more?"
"No, I've been up for three hours already. Get up!" Two sleepy blue eyes appeared from the nest of soft blankets, glaring at her friend. The princess was disgusted to see a very wide-awake Caelestis, brown hair up in a ponytail all the ladies at finishing school were appalled at, sparkling green eyes as awake as the rest of her.
Celeste was shifting from foot to foot in impatience. "Fine, that's it!" Before her friend could protest, the brunette yanked the covers off Serenity. Before the princess could fall on the floor, she caught and hefted her back on the bed.
The golden haired one glowered and yawned, asking, "‘Leste, can't you be more merciful in the morning? I'm so tired."
Grinning wickedly, the Lady of Dicte returned, "Would you rather I not catch you and let you fall on the ground? Hurry up and get dressed! I'll make the bed. You don't want to miss the arrival of the first new lady, Silvia of Martius, do you?"
"AH! Shoot! I forgot all about that!"
For once, the "tomboy" of the school was more elegant, or perhaps one should say eloquent. "Lady Serenity of Eos! What would your parents say if they heard you say that?"
Blushing, she replied, "Pardon, I'm very sorry. Mother would wash my mouth out with soap." Caelestis then smiled widely and dragged her friend off to the wash room. "What are you doing ‘Leste? I haven't changed out of my nightgown yet!"
"I am proceeding to do what your mother would have done-washed your mouth with soap!" she replied gleefully. Then, silence was heard from the taller and older girl while wails and squeals of outrage were heard from the princess.
~ * ~ * ~
Lady Silvia of Martius leaned her head against the window, sighing and trying to sit in a position that wouldn't make her rear end feel more sore. After days of resting in inns and bumping about in the nearly empty carriage, she was ready to cry. But Silvia promised herself that no one would ever see her cry, no one must EVER see her cry.
The driver turned around for a brief moment and said, "Lady Silvia, we are approaching the school."
"Thank you, Clayton." She then proceeded to straighten out her slightly-crumpled red dress and shook out her long, raven hair. Silvia had tied it up with a red ribbon before to keep it from getting dirty or in her way. Normally, however, ladies were expected to put it up elegantly or leave it down. For her age, that is. TRUE ladies, those not regarded as just out of childhood, always put their hair up unless in their own quarters.
Combing it out with a silver comb, she heard a few quiet chirps and turned around. She had been extremely unhappy when her family insisted on putting her two birds into a cage, but at least she had been able to bring them along. For her last birthday, Vigila and Ultor of Martius had given her two crows, and she had named them Phobos and Deimos. Soothingly, she whispered, "It will be all right, once we get out of the carriage you shall be free again, just as before."
Soon after her words, the carriage rumbled to a stop, and Clayton helped her out. Meanwhile, Serenity, Caelestis, and the many other girls of the school caught their breaths when they caught the first glimpse of the new girl, although only a white, lacy glove and appeared in the hand of the coachman. When all of Silvia appeared, Serenity and Caelestis were awed by her beauty, but they knew some of the other girls were not going to be as appreciative.
They were jealous at finding another future rival for when they went to court, but they couldn't eliminate Serenity-the Princess of Eos. Celeste was able to protect herself, and she was the friend of the princess anyway. Everyone stared, mesmerized, at the ebony-haired beauty with mysterious, deep purple eyes. When she saw Serenity, she lightly stepped over and curtseyed, murmuring, "Your highness."
"Hello, Lady Silvia. Um..." the princess looked helplessly at her friend.
"Yes, welcome. I'm Caelestis, Caelestis of Dicte. Would you like us to show you around?"
Smiling gratefully at the two friendly girls, Silvia said, "Yes, thank you. That would be very nice. Oh no, I forgot about Phobos and Deimos!"
While the crowd dispersed, they followed her to her luggage curiously and asked, "Phobos and Deimos? Are they your brothers?"
Laughing, she said, "Oh goodness, no! There aren't any boys at a ladies's finishing school, are there?" When they shook their heads, she lifted the cage of crows and said, "Meet Phobos and Deimos. Phobos has a purple ribbon around his neck, Deimos has a red one." The two took her to her room first, to set down the cage and put the trunks in. Once that was done, they gave her an immeasurably lively tour of the large school, talking and laughing like old friends, while two became three.
~ * ~ * ~
It was time for farewells for Endymion and his friends, the prince went first. "Zephyr, thanks so much for helping me with studies in the past and everything. Take care of yourself and come back ready for Mastery! I am sure you will reach your goal of becoming a healer."
He winked a green eye and said, "I'll try. Thank you, and take care of yourself too."
Darien then turned to Janus and asked, "What are we going to do without you? What am I going to do without you? No more partners in crime!"
Janus snickered and replied, "I'm sure you'll think of more stunts. I'll miss you."
"I shall as well, old friend. Best friend."
It was Kent's turn. To everyone's surprise, he actually patted (rather slapped, one would say, but not really) Zephyr on the back. "You watch yourself, little guy. No more taking sick or walking into people, okay?" Slightly frightened, his friend nodded and shook his hand. "Janus...have fun..but try not to push anyone to their limits."
"Aye, aye commander!"
All of the boys looked at the blond, confused, except for Nessus. He beamed widely and said, "Zephyr, I would tell you your future, but the stars would protest. Know this: what you gain with your training will be just as precious and even more sweet when it bears fruit."
Looking at him oddly, Zephyrus asked, "What might that be?"
Nessus just grinned mysteriously and turned to Janus. "I'll see you soon. Sooner, actually, and don't worry-you will get a chance to be a knight even if Zephyr doesn't want it as much as you do."
"That sounds excellent. Um....I'll miss you, Nessus."
"Of course, I shall also. Now come, you YOUNGLINGS have to go!" The two blondes grumbled and left the castle, leaving their three friends waving after them. When they trudged forlornly back in, the five reduced to three felt a hollow emptiness inside.
~ * ~ * ~
Grunting, two young girls trudged from the well with a full bucket of ice cold water. "Celeste, don't you think we could do this another way?"
Smiling at her friend, the brunette wondered at how close they had become in the last few weeks. Silvia was mysterious and quiet at times, but she was very sweet, understanding, and totally unselfish. She was also extremely stubborn at times, but Serenity and Caelestis just loved her all the more for it. "Sorry, but we found out that yanking off the sheets doesn't help anymore. The maids got angry when the blankets were soiled, too."
"Well, so would I," protested Silvia softly, "you didn't need to dump them on the floor, they must be a pain to clean." Caelestis stuck her tongue out, and they continued to Serenity's rooms, laughing. Just as Celeste had become very fond of Silvia, the lady of Martius found her very nice and fun, and she learned many useful yet slightly unladylike things, since Caelestis was considered a tomboy.
However, Silvia HAD learned to cook. Not as excellently as her friend could, but she had become a meritable cook in just a few weeks. One of the things they shared in common was a love for animals, and Phobos and Deimos both became friends of their mistress's new one. Right outside the princess's door, the raven-haired one grunted in annoyance when all the weight of the bucket was transferred to her. "‘LESTE!!"
"Shush! Sorry, but who do you think is going to open the door?" came apologetically.
"Me," grumbled Silvia.
"Okay, coast is clear, she will be sleeping, probably deaf as a doornail."
"‘That's mean and unladylike. Such as giving me the pail. Now come on."
In the girls' dormitory, many girls grumbled in annoyance and grumpily dragged themselves out of bed, awakened by shrill screams. Ladies and teachers sighed, defeated. They had been forced to allow the princess's friends to wake her in such a manner because nothing else would. One stopped in, Lady Adosinda, the outdoors activities instructor.
"Ladies, when Princess Serenity is awake, make sure you are proper and not wet anymore. Lady Dione of Aphros arrives today. Remember your political lessons-Aphros can be a powerful ally but also a worthy enemy, no matter how small."
When she left, Caelestis said, "Hear that, Sere? Now, UP!!!"
Chapter 2- The Two Mired Down
Ami sat near the window, looking out it forlornly. They were stuck at the inn and had been stuck there for nigh* three days. She missed her brother and was scared of leaving. It had been raining torrents halfway through the first day and hadn't seemed to stop since.
She had heard the driver and the manservant, who had been sent with her, complaining about it-which upset her even more that she had made adults mad at her. It seemed that any and ALL adults were constantly upset at or afraid of her. The skies were a dull gray, which reflected how she felt inside; dreary. She didn't have any friends back home, only Nereus. And he was her brother. What was the likelihood these girls would accept her?
She didn't mind being alone. In fact, at times, she loved to curl up near a fire in the winter and read a good book from beginning to end in one, sitting with no human companionship at all. But she hated being lonely.
Being lonely to her was wanting someone to sit with or talk with or cry on their shoulder but no one being there. Nereus seemed to be the one person she could trust to speak her mind to, but now her brother wasn't there and wouldn't be able to save her from the loneliness and the isolation that her strange abilities seemed to make, a gap between her and most people.
If only she was a boy. Then she could get trained and would learn how to control her powers, but chances were that with all the heretic-burnings, she would probably be killed. If that was what she had, magic at all, most of the servants made the sign against evil near her, thinking she was possessed. Sighing, she took one more glance at the rumbling skies that had caused all the roads to become slick and overflown with mud-which made it hard travel for the horses.
The further from home they traveled, the worse it seemed to get. Eventually she would have to control her emotions and the turmoil inside that seemed so much like the giant masses of stormy giants that were so high in the sky, melding together with flashes of white fire. Amiliane got up and moved from the window to search through one of her bags and get out a book to read to keep her mind off the past few weeks.
IF her fussy manservant didn't confiscate it. Proper ladies were only supposed to read books of etiquette, letters, and other sorts of nonsense. She preferred everything most ladies didn't, and everyone back home had looked at her askance. There would be no way in Heaven or Hell that her father would let her stay at home, despite what Nereus had said. She could be made profitable in a betrothal even with her magic (if it was that) that hampered her more often than it helped.
As she thought about this on the way from the common room to her rented quarters, the door opened as soggy bags were thrown in, and a young blonde haired boy tripped and fell face first onto the wood floor with a splat. Two other people walked in and wove around the spot where the boy was sprawled on the floor, now attempting to get up. Janus of Martiae winced as his plastered form was slowly peeled from the floor with the help of his friend, Zephyrus, of Arcadia.
"Eh.. are you alright?" Zephyr inquired with a somewhat worried look.
"I'll be fine, and I can get up by myself," Janus snapped back, swatting Zephyr's hand off his cloak which only made him fall again.
Ami watched the scene curiously, and when the short haired one started thrashing about and tripping on his own clothes, she giggled in spite of herself. Walking over and picking up her "elegant" and much harrying skirts so they wouldn't touch the now very slippery and wet floor, she crossed in front of the door that had been hastily shut only a few minutes ago and offered her hand to the boy on the floor, with the other covering her smiles.
Darien sighed, moping. All had been quiet in the boys' wing since his friend Janus had left. They had been together, good friends. He had never been more grateful for the day he had been introduced to a nine year old Kent of Cyprus.
He had been eight at the time, just being made a page. Kent had been his sponsor, one who showed him the ropes and made sure he was all right. The king and queen knew his parents well and had watched the tall, quiet boy until they were satisfied that the prince would be in good hands. Although he had never gotten in trouble (at least not with his silver-haired friend), the two had stuck by each other, Endymion had found serious Kent extremely helpful and very interesting to talk to.
All the pages and even the squires, aged fourteen and/or older, listened to his wise words. At least, when the tall one spoke. He was also highly skilled with weapons and combat, making a very trustworthy friend to watch your back-that was another thing. Kent would be loyal, follow the Code of Chivalry, and stand by his friends until his death.
A year later, the two pages met Nessus of Moirae. The prince had been nine, his friend ten, and the new boy eight. This time around, the lively brown-haired boy had begun a bit of fun and mischief. Also lively but not as much as Janus was. They still kept out of serious trouble, however, as a threesome. Darien had sponsored Nessus and considered him a great friend, one who talked quite a bit more than Kent.
While Kent had been unaware that he had powers, the mages at the palace had tested him at that age, and he had been bundled off for extra lessons besides the ones pages already had. Nessus had known of his powers, and the assorted masters in the castle had been very upset to find out that he had contacted the stars without proper training-and off he went to magic class. Darien was in a class of his own, having a "wild magic" that bound him to the Earth.
Nessus and Kent had what was commonly called the "Gift" of magic, could light fires with a different, unique color for each person, and even though most Gifted ones shared certain traits, the two still had distinguishing powers. Nessus was very kind, always eager to lend new pages a hand and was also quite high on honor issues and could be counted on to settle even the most controversial bets. He wouldn't, however, take ones that were disgraceful.
The threesome had gone on like that for about a year until new arrivals joined their group. That wasn't to say, of course, that there weren't lesser friends or rivals made. The prince and his acquaintances had managed to, sadly, make quite a few enemies.
Two tiny blond haired boys had joined them-Zephyrus of Arcadia and Janus of Martius. Kent, no longer having the duty of helping the squire-prince, lent a hand to Zephyr. Nessus had chosen to sponsor Janus, and they became good friends.
With Zephyrus, already extraordinarily intelligent at age 8, the quartet would then have kept quiet, with a few mishaps from Endymion and Nessus. Slim and lanky although still slightly on the short side, he was one of the shyest boys, always fingering a curl on one long, slim finger. He walked down the halls, absorbed in his books, most unfortunately causing quite a few accidents until the king and the prince had ordered him to get seeing-glasses for reading.
While he DID need them, they only helped him see more clearly when he wanted-Zephyr still went down the hall knocking into people left and right, vision concentrated on the heavy book in front of him-ten more or so in his bag. While it was a strain on such a small boy to carry all of them, he refused to go anywhere without them. The quintet's intelligence and marks increased, for their friend managed to finish all his work without their "free time". During HIS free time, Zephyrus helped his friends with theirs.
Janus, on the other hand, was a different story. When a quiet Endymion had first stood in the throne room and stared at Janus of Martius, dark black hair contrasted with blond hair, and medium blue eyes met bright blue ones. The blond was first to break the silence, bowing cheerfully and holding out his hand. "Good day, your highness."
"Likewise, nice to meet you, Janus."
His father, King Pontus, had watched the odd exchange with no further comment then, "Very well, now you've been introduced. Darien, please do show your new acquaintance to his room and show him around the castle. Mayhaps your friends would like to meet him?"
Both boys had bowed, taking the dismissal. His son replied, "Yes, Father. Good day." Endymion had then taken Janus along and showed him all around. Janus, bright as a button, asked appropriate questions about his new life as a page, but then the two had started to get acquainted and found each other very similar.
When Darien had introduced Janus to his friends, everyone had instantly hit off. Except Janus and Zephyrus. No, they didn't like each other very much at first. Kent and Darien were squires, Nessus almost on his way. The two blonds, neither particularly hot-headed, seemed to like each other quite a bit more later on.
Most unfortunately, they turned still everything "topsy-turvy and so messy it ain't worth it t'clean up when it happens so of'ten," as the servants claimed. But now, the black-haired boy shook his head, there weren't any more arguments. While he and the other two missed them dearly, he couldn't help but feel very sorry for whoever ran into them and the people of Cyllene....
~ * ~ * ~
After they had gotten all their things settled, the two boys sat in the common room on a couch, while the girl they had seen before sat opposite them and was reading a book, seemingly paying them no attention until Janus walked over and cocked his head to one side, trying to read the title.
"Wow! What's a little girl like you reading a book like that?!" he asked, the title being Volume 1 of Sir George's Encyclopedia's on Dragons and other Magical Beasts."You planning on fighting any monsters?" he chided, amused, "I mean, they have appeared more recently now, but..."
Frowning, she looked up at him sternly,"I, sir, am simply reading this to enhance my knowledge, and I do not feel that wasting my time flailing on the floor like a fish out of water is good use of one's time."
Zephyr walked over to see what the two were arguing about. "Janus, what kind of fool situation have you gotten yourself into now?"
His grin only widened,"Fine, fine, so you're smart, eh? So's Zephyr here," he explained, motioning to his friend.
~ * ~ * ~
Dione picked up her skirts and glared warily at the path before her. It was almost all mud. She tried her best to keep her beautiful clothes clean, but the hem kept slipping, and her once stark, white underskirts had became grey brown as the mud dried on them, but thankfully she was able to save the gold top layer. Which had proved to be extremely clumsy and extravagant.
It had been cold at the start of the week, and she hadn't worn enough layers. Which she vowed never to do again, but today had been the hottest temperature she had been in for awhile. She had made a grave mistake in guessing what it would be like, and giving up on her skirts, she made haste toward the gate. She desperately wanted a bath! Someone else would bring in her bags. Praying for all formalities to wait for some later time, she nearly bowled over a tall, brown haired girl.
Caelestis looked at the girl that had just run into her for a moment, and after a few seconds of calculation, her mind came to a quick conclusion. A grin spread across her face as she took a deep breath."SHE'S HEEEEEEEEERE!!"she bellowed, cupping her hands around her mouth as a makeshift megaphone.
Dumbfounded, the only thing Dione could do was to cover her ears. Was that what finishing school was supposed to teach you? She had never heard anyone, especially a girl, yell that loud in her life, it seemed. Suddenly the area just inside the gate was crowded with girls, mainly her age or older, all wanting to take a look at the new girl. Feeling a bit claustrophobic at the moment, she tried to move backwards but came in contact with the metal bars of the gate.
Seeing the panicked look on her face Caelestis rolled up her sleeves and stood her full height, puffing out her chest as she started giving orders."Ok everybody! Back *up*! You want to scare her half to death? You nearly smashed her up against the wall! Is that the "proper" way to welcome a new person?!" she commanded.
Smiling, she turned back to look at Dione, about to introduce herself, when an annoyed voice spoke up. "Who said you were boss of the place, Lady Caelestis? Oh, I forgot. Miss-just-call-me-Celeste. Not only do you want to boss around the whole school, you don't seem to be much of a lady yourself," one girl with curly, shocking red hair and a freckled face said snobbily. Some of the other girls in the crowd nodded in agreement.
Caelestis balled up her fists and was about to snap a reply when two other girls made their way to the front of the crowd. One was blonde haired girl, of medium height, who seemed to be dragging a second, protesting, raven haired lass by the arm. Everyone seemed to hush their murmurs upon the duo's arrival. Serenity had heard Celeste yell loudly that someone had arrived, and her mind quickly guessed that the newcomer must be Dione. Dropping the sweet cake that she had managed to get from one of the chefs, she darted out the door and on the way saw Silvia with her birds.
Grabbing her unsuspecting victim by the arm, she ran to the front door to see what was happening. Silvia let out a few shrieks of surprise before submitting and letting Serenity drag her outside, blinking a few times before she started grumbling under her breath.
Dione sighed in relief as the mass of girls moved back. Looking desperately for an exit through the crowd she saw the two girls approaching. One obviously had some sort of authority because everyone else grew silent. The blonde was smiling and looked very friendly whereas the black haired one seemed a bit vexed with her companion.
Guessing the dark haired one would start demanding orders from people, she was caught off guard when the blonde ran up and took her hands in her own. "I'm so glad you made it!"she exclaimed, smile brightening,"you're Dione, I hear, of Aphros. Welcome! You've met Caelestis, I'm sure, and this here is Silvia," she said, pointing to the fuming girl at her side, "and I'm Serenity."
~ * ~ * ~
Kent and Nessus sighed when Endymion was called by the knight he served, Sir Vincent. Vincent's name meant conqueror, and although he provided a nice front for the prince and the royal family, he was quite bossy and lorded over the others. Quite a young knight he was, not even thirty yet. The two boys weren't sure why Pontus had allowed his son to be the squire of such an inexperienced knight but decided not to question his judgement. Although Kent and Nessus had their doubts about whether or not Vincent had used magic to bend the king's will...
The page sighed and stared at the yellowed pages of their books, some they thought could be more ancient than their masters-if that was possible. Both had work to do in their "free time," from History, Mathematics/Arithmetic, Reading and Writing, Medicine, and much to do from Magic.
After their hour or even less of "spare time," another deceiving synonym, all the pages, squires, and knights were called for training at different times. Surprisingly, the knights trained first, and when they were done, then came the squires. Pages were last to train and needed the shortest time, getting more extensive training when they became squires.
At least Kent was fortunate to be a good knight's body squire, yet he wasn't overworked or called into service very often. Most squires's duties came when the kingdom was at war-fortunately, it wasn't. For the moment, at least. Groaning, he slowly closed his book in one fluid movement. "There! Reading and writing was not quite that hard today, since we both know how to read."
Stretching, he continued, "I managed to finish everything except Magic. It is so much longer with Zephyr here, flitting around and pointing out a few mistakes. Then grabbing the pen and showing us what we are doing wrong. I can't do Medicine at all, but I shall sneak it in after light's are out," came the decided finish.
"Why do you think we need to learn Medicine? Didn't try that, only History left. Getting back to the subject of Medicine, I didn't finish identifying those herb specimens," yawned Nessus, stretching. "After all, I don't want to be a healer. Stars are fine with me, they help me in arithmetic."
Gloomily, Kent replied, "I have no more of an idea than you do. Ask the stars when you have time, the bell just tolled for training. Come on." The page and squire left their books and straightened their tunics, grabbing the makeshift swords they had been taught to make only yesterday. The silver haired one asked, "Do you have any idea what we are doing today?"
"Not jousting."
*groan*
"What? I mean, when we do jousting I always get stabbed, because my partner is always SO much better. You have no mercy when YOU are my partner. What's so bad about this one?"
Despairing silver eyes met blue ones as he took a deep breath and carefully began his litany. "We duck the chain and ball. Luckily, there aren't any spikes on it. In ‘real' warfare, the enemy comes running at us swinging these things. Spiked balls. If we aren't careful, someone will be beheaded or seriously hurt. If it doesn't strike you on the head, large bruises suddenly appear on various parts of your body."
"That sounds cheerful. Why haven't I done this before?" asked Nessus with trepidation.
Kent rolled his eyes and said, "Too many people were hurt last time, so they only do it every four years now. You should have done it before. When you were nine."
"Oh yes, I remember now. Lucky Janus and Zephyr, they just missed it. Last time someone wasn't beheaded, though. It caught him in the-"
"Shut up, I wasn't the one that needed reminding."
*nigh=near
Chapter 3-A Conquest for Beryl
Dione looked around her new room. Serenity had dragged her off similar to the way she had taken Silvia and proclaimed that she'd be bunking with her. Room with the Princess? Amazement and shock was an understatement to her feelings on the issue. Why Dione? Her fief wasn't that big nor was it very powerful. Of course, she wasn't the only one in the room. It looked as though it could accommodate around ten or so people she thought as she counted the beds and dressers.
Walking over to a window she looked out of it as Serenity, who had requested that she greet the new guest with some privacy chattered away with Silvia, who was asked to join, and Caelestis listened and added comments every once in awhile.
Later that day, the new blond girl had just taken a tray for meals, thinking about her new acquaintances. They were nice.....just a bit....queer. Caelestis puzzled her, very unladylike, yet very friendly. There was something just so attractive about her lively green eyes that drew her in. Silvia, dark-haired one, certainly was a curious girl, with dazzling purple eyes.
She had heard so many rumors about the lady of Martius, and Dione wondered if she was as strange as everyone said. However, she had just greeted her simply and talked to Serenity normally. Serenity, very kind, bubbly, always laughing.....sometimes she wished she could be as happy. But home is where the heart is...and her heart just wasn't at finishing school.
As soon as she got some time by herself, Dione was determined to write a letter to her parents, Artemis, and Cytherea. Dazedly, she picked a few items of bread, fruit, juice, and a slice of cheese for her lunch. Before she could go over to a wildly-gesturing princess, she was accosted by a girl she had seen earlier, the one that had snubbed Caelestis. Hair flaming, as did her curiously dark eyes, she said, "Welcome, Lady Dione. I'm Berylline, the lady of Babette, but all my friends call me Beryl."
"It's nice to meet you, Lady Berylline. Thank you for your kind welcome."
"Oh, just call me Beryl, it means jewel. Would you care to sit with me and my friends?" The slim, slightly older girl pointed towards an almost-empty table where four blondes, another redhead, and two brunettes were sitting. "I like to fancy myself queen, I know it's silly, but I handpicked a ‘court' anyway."
Feeling slightly confused, Dione waved back to Serenity, yet allowed herself to led away by the buxom girl. "If you'll excuse me, Lady Beryl, but I meant to sit with the princess. However, I don't have any friends yet. It would be nice to meet yours."
"Goodness, darling, the princess? She wouldn't treat a lovely thing like you right. Come to my table, and we'll tell you all about her and her circle of ‘friends.'"
Looking naively confused, the blonde walking sedately beside the redhead asked, "Pardon, but are they not her friends? You didn't say it in a way that made me think so."
Beryl just looked her over and grinned, leading her on. ‘What a naive, stupid girl. Quite easy to bend to my will, and a pretty jewel for my "court." The girls will just love her...after I'm through with her, of course.'
~* ~ * ~
"NONONONONONO!" shrieked Nessus, in a quite ungentlemanly way and losing his
composure. Kent, who was staring, amazed, after his running friend, winced when the instructor said icily, "Nessus, you want to be a knight. This training, no matter how hard it may look, is
certainly easier to learn than the time IF and WHEN you become and knight and have real adversaries swinging spiked chains and balls at you."
Whimpering slightly, he hung his head, embarrassed and ashamed in front of all the assembled pages and squires. "But if you'll forgive me, sir, Belden is currently needing a healer. I also heard the practice was discontinued because of too many injuries."
His silver-haired friend sweatdropped when Sir Barner shot him an exasperated look and
replied, "Then I do believe Squire Kent can honor us with the first try. Squire?? When all the boys, over a hundred, expectantly waited and watched for Kent, he turned pale and tried to back away obscurely. Unfortunately, it didn't work. His instructor became tired of the finicky boys, grabbed the tall Kent (which was rather hard, the boy being very muscular and of a rather good
height) and shoved him directly in the path of the spikeless (snicker) ball and chain. Nessus winced and covered his eyes, hoping his friend wouldn't lose his head at the young age of fifteen.
To everyone's intense surprise, including Kent, his lightening reflexes had not been affected by his unpreparedness as he quickly jumped, flipped, and rolled out of the way. "Excellent! Very good, Squire Kent. Once the king is informed, I am sure he shall ask you to perform many other demonstrations (groan from a dusty, sweaty squire). The rest of you, line up! One by one, right after another! Ho! You there, take Kent of Cyprus to the king and explain the situation.
Come on, let's go! Nothing to be afraid of, girls. Oy! You there! Watch out!! *wince* *mumble* Another for the healers, looks like they'll have a busy day."
~ * ~ * ~
Several weeks later, a disgruntled threesome snuck through the near-silent halls of their finishing school, determined to make a daring rescue *cough.* As they peeked into the room where Beryl and her seven other friends shared, they were disgusted to find that Dione had moved her things into one of the two spare bunks in that dormitory.
Berylline herself was strutting in front of the mirror, much to the dismay of the beautiful blonde girl, three years younger. The rest of her friends were watching spitefully, laughing behind their ladylike fans. She begged, "Beryl, would you PLEASE stop moving? And do you think we could perhaps stop now? I've pulled out twenty, and you said only twenty a day until next week."
The addressed twisted around and scowled at her "maid" and screeched, "I told you to call me Lady Beryl! Goodness, Dione, if you want to be our friend and part of the most popular and prettiest girls's group at court, you'll have to do what we like. Look at the state of my eyebrows! How can I ever be queen like that? Do thirty more!"
"But Lady Beryl," began Dione, "you said that next week it would be thirty." She indicated the row of neat little eyebrows she had pulled out. "I've done twenty, aren't there only ten left?"
"Dione," said the red-haired one, "I thought I just asked you not to argue with me. Or maybe you'd like to go running back to your dear princess, the liar?" She went on, poison rolling off her tongue as Dione listened intently, tearing up.
For once, Serenity didn't. She just stormed away, silently, and she was so upset and angry that the air around her crackled and shimmered a bright white. A moment later, when she had begun thinking clearly, her blue eyes opened wide. The princess, running back and not caring who heard, had been just in time to pull the high-tempered Silvia and Caelestis from intruding on her adversary. Back in the safety of their dormitory, only Molly and Margarita remained, two of their close but not best friends. "Silvia, Caelestis, what in the world were you THINKING?"
The brunette clenched her fists and said, "Avenging you, that's what! Sere, you let them talk about you that way?"
"No, of course not," she said smoothly, "but I'm not what matters. As long as you, my friends, don't believe what she's spewing, I don't care. Don't get in trouble for me. Besides, Beryl wouldn't dare do that in public, which goes to show that she's just a coward."
"But Dione needs help, influenced girl she is or not," said the raven-haired one softly. Her purple eyes were large and sad in the wake of her loss of control. The five in the room nodded, Molly and Margarita knowing the princess's side of the story anyway.
~ * ~ * ~
Kent, for one of the first times in his life, was feeling scared. That and dirty, dizzy, smelly, and sweaty. The herald announced, "Squire Kent of Cyprus to see His Most Supreme Majesty, King Pontus of Ceto!"
Amiably, the king smiled and dismissed his courtiers. "Welcome, young Kent. I heard Sir
Barner was quite impressed by your skill in dodging *choke* the chain and ball. Do have a seat and tell me, have you ever had experience with this before?"
Throwing his silver ponytail over a shoulder and shaking long bangs out of his eyes, Kent took a seat and nodded. "Yes, your Majesty."
"When?" he asked, raising an ebony eyebrow.
"Well, your Majesty, when I was eleven, four years ago."
"Did you have the same results as you did today?"
"Pardon, Majesty?"
"What I mean to say, Kent, is that were you able to duck the ball and the chain successfully, not gaining any....injuries, shall we say?"
Wondering what was coming next, he slowly replied, "Yes, your Majesty."
"Hm....interesting. Well, as you know, Kent, when Endymion becomes the next king, he will need a group of bodyguards to watch his back. They must be faithful and loyal."
Face attentive, Kent said, "Yes, of course, your Majesty."
"For that group, usually of four boys, one is usually the leader. He is also the Commander of the King's Own, you see."
"Er....yes, your Majesty," replied the boy, wondering what he was getting at.
"I have, disrespectfully, I might add, had you watched for your technique and trustworthiness. Kent, I would like you to become that commander."
For a minute, the boy stared at the serious king, silver meeting blue. He stammered, "Y-y-your Majesty, you must be joking, if you will pardon me."
King Pontus leaned back and regarded the young man before him with curious eyes. "Why, not at all, my dear boy. You must first agree to the extra training and lessons needed to become commander, though."
Bowing, not really understanding, Kent said, "I would indeed like to, your Majesty. But what of my duty to my knight? I am his body squire and expected to for another three years."
"I'm sure that Sir Latimer can be persuaded to take young Nessus of Moirae as his squire next year. A Knight Commander, however, is needed to start training now," mused the king, rubbing a tired hand over his beard.
"Are you saying that I am relieved of my duties as a body squire, yet I must undergo more training if I should accept the training for Prince Endymion's Knight Commander?"
"That is indeed what I am saying. Young Kent, you are allowed to respond instantly, or I can wait up to a fortnight for your answer."
"There is no need, your Majesty. I am indeed honored to train for becoming the next Knight Commander."
"Excellent," smiled the king benignly. "You may return for your classes. If I'm not much mistaken, the other squires have Medicine now?"
"Oh yes, your Majesty. Thank you," said Kent, bowing furiously and continuously until he left the room, stunned.
Pontus turned to the shadows cloaking one of the corners of the room and asked, "What do you think, my dear?"
A beaming Queen Diana said, "I think Endymion will be pleased, and Kent DOES seem trustworthy. My lord, have you given a thought of what shall become of your other child?"
The handsome, ebony-haired man frowned. "Meliae? Why, she cannot be heir due to circumstances that are creditable. I expect to make a good marriage and have her betrothed quite soon, as most young ladies are by the age of twelve. She will be nearing her thirteenth birthday soon, and there shall be plenty of suitors asking for the hand of our daughter," he finished decisively.
"I see, my lord. But doesn't Meliae strike you as a bit....headstrong? I doubt she will agree willingly to a marriage."
The king, already halfway out the door, turned back and said, "Good luck to you, dear, for you have afternoon court hearings. As for Meliae? Your responsibility, your daughter. I have no knowledge of womanly concerns-for I am not a woman. Good day."
~ * ~ * ~
Amiliane had just finished scribbling the last postscript to her letter when she realized that there was no way of sending it. The inn that she was currently in had no messenger birds of any sort, she didn't know how to manipulate her magic at all, and neither her manservant or driver were obligated to bring letters back home just because she wished. Biting her lip and wincing as old sores reopened, she thought of another alternative.
It was quite improper for a lady to speak to a man unless court manners dictated so-but they weren't at court, and she was still considered a little girl. By the time Ami hurried downstairs, throwing on a cloak and clutching her letter, she caught Janus and Zephyr just leaving. "Please wait!!" When they turned to her, disbelievingly, she panted and clutched the stitch at her side. "Excuse me, but you said you were going to Cyllene. Might you be able to take this to someone there for me?"
Impatiently, Janus-who had a cold, said, "Little girl, I'm very sorry, but we're very busy and have a number of tasks and things to look after."
When the slightly shorter blonde saw her wipe away tears gathering at the corners of her eyes and turning to leave, Zephyr called, "Miss? If you'd like, we'll take it after all."
She cheered up instantly and said, blushing, "Thank you very much, both of you!"
"Cute kid after all," mused Janus to his friend. When Zephyr glared back at him, he suddenly recalled something and yelled after the retreating Ami, "LITTLE GIRL! Who's the letter to?"
Turning around, she blushed and clamped her mouth shut. "The addressed's name is on the envelope, kind sirs! And sir, the one with the blue eyes, I'm not quite that little! Thank you and have a safe journey!"
Quietly, the green-eyed one said, "Good journey to you as well." Once they had clambered into their means of transportation, he drew the envelope out of his pocket and looked at it. Turning pale, he nudged his friend and said, "Janus, old friend, you ARE in trouble." *snicker*
Looking insulted, the other replied indignantly, "And how so?"
Zephyr just pointed to the elegant yet slightly unreadable, minuscule script that proclaimed "To: Nereus of Cyllene."
Confused, Janus now asked, "Er....who's Nereus?"
*sweatdrop* "JANUS!! We studied this extra hard with the king and queen right before we left, remember? No, of course you don't. *sarcastically* You were sleeping, as usual. Nereus is the heir to Cyllene!!"
"Ohh....I remember now. Hey, that was mean. One minute....what hair color did Nereus have again?"
"Dark blue, I believe. His mother had that shade. His father had lighter hair. Gods, Janus, are you driving at what I THINK you're trying to point out?"
"Um.....what was I trying to point out?"
*sweatdrop again* "Evidently-nothing. Think of it this way. Not many people have blue hair, right? So far, only the royal house of Cyllene. Nereus of Cyllene has dark blue hair. His father has light blue hair, and his mother had dark blue hair. If you mix their two hair colors, what do you get?"
Still looking a his friend oddly, the other replied, "Medium blue shade, quite pretty."
"EXACTLY! Now, what color hair did the girl we just talked to have?"
"The little girl? Blue hair."
*sigh*
"Oh....medium blue hair. Yes?"
*sweatdrop third time* "JANUS! Put it together! She has to be of the house of Cyllene!"
"Oh, okay. And that has to do with...."
"IDIOT! She must be the sister of Nereus!"
"Oh........wait, wait, wait, wait!! We actually just had a conversation with the all-famed water witch, as the late lady of Cyllene is called?"
Zephyr sighed, couldn't his friend put the pieces together? "Janus.....you oaf! Your ‘late lady' would be Maia, the MOTHER of Nereus, not the sister, you fool. Do you even know her name?"
"Um....all I recall is that people are scared, because she floods everything when she cries."
"How very tactful of you. AMILIANE OF CYLLENE!"
Once more baffled, Janus asked, "And that has to do with what were discussing before?"
He almost cried with frustration. "Your ‘little girl' was Amiliane of Cyllene! And you just insulted her about half a dozen times before we found out!"
Mouth dropping open, the blonde said, "By all the gods.....I've returned from a meeting with her without even a scratch!"
*sweatdrop (I forgot which time by now)* "Forget it. Just forget it, Janus. You might as well mumble to yourself the rest of this ride-I'm going to read."
Chapter 4-Sour Grapes
Dione sighed as she heard Beryl's shrill, unpleasant voice call her name. Were all these things she was doing supposed to make her a lady? Plucking out eyebrows and applying face paint to an already over-painted face? Oh no....there went the bell. Frowning, the blonde tried to remember which department of etiquette she was supposed to go to next. Was it manner mistress?
No, and she was pretty sure it wasn't time for dancing. Court manners versus table manners? No, that wasn't it either. Then her quick, light footsteps slowed. She winced and glanced down at delicate white hands scarred with tiny pinpricks. Sewing. She hated sewing and sewing mistress, and the lady hated her as well."Dione!" hissed the redhead, finally coming upon her "friend." "Wherever have you been? I need you for something!"
"I'm very sorry, Lady Beryl, but I'm going to be late to sewing class. Please let go of my arm, I have another four corridors to rush through."
"Can't you skip class? This is very important."
Crystal blue eyes glared into annoyed dark ones, and the blonde replied flatly, "No, not at all. Sewing is an accomplishment all noble ladies should excel at. Perhaps you haven't realized that I wouldn't like to be your menial servant anymore, BERYL. Let go of my arm." Dione finished slightly, still glowering and piercing through the other girl with firm eyes.
"A curse on you, Dione of Aphros. I'll remember your slighting, and I always knew you weren't good for anything except servitude. Go and join the prissy, backstabbing princess then. From now on, you are excluded from my court."
She laughed and sarcastically replied, "That doesn't scare me in the least. I am good for something, whereas you are a useless and parasitical person. A leech would be even more exact. The princess may be backstabbing, but I have no way of knowing, for you are the true back stabber. With a court that no one in the world should like to see or meet."
With those insulting words, Dione stomped off loudly to her class, and her already fuming temper was more inflamed when sewing mistress reprimanded severely, "Lady Dione, you are late. AGAIN. Please sit down and get out what you have been working on, everyone has started their embroidery. I want to see where you are."
Sighing, the blonde carefully fished out her cloth and grimaced at the few stitches that graced the white cloth. The ends weren't hemmed, no embroidery was started.....she winced, knowing she was in for a lecture. Why, oh why, couldn't she learn how to make the simplest of hems?
~ * ~ * ~
Ami was hungry. No, not hungry. She was starving, famished, deprived of food. She hadn't had anything to eat since last night, because she had overslept this morning. They were in a hurry to get the school that day without having to travel in the dark, as to avoid highway bandits, monstrous creatures (ogres and the like that suddenly appeared), and other bad company that they might come upon on an unguarded road in the night, but the closer they got to the capital, the less worried they all seemed.
Still, her guardians insisted that they make haste to the school. Resisting the urge to clutch her grumbling stomach and moan, she looked at the sun, which gave the time to be late afternoon. When would they get there? She hadn't been able to grab a book before they packed them all away with the rest of her luggage, so not only was her stomach miserable, but she was also bored to tears. Staring at a ribbon that was part of her dress, she tried counting the blue flowers and then dividing them by two, before subtracting how many purple ones adorned the sash from that, and on and on the problem went till she got bored with it.
What she wouldn't give for some parchment or vellum. They were rather expensive materials, but her father had plenty stored, she and Nereus had often gone to the trouble to "borrow" some. And not too long ago, had she heard of the radical idea of "paper". Running through her head the ingredients for the new invention she debated whether people would buy into it or if it was only a fad that would soon, after all, it might possibly fade away like many did.
It was cheaper, but it was not near as fine as the sheepskin and calfskin-which many of her books were made of. She mulled this over for awhile, and before she knew it the coach lurched to a stop, and she was unceremoniously thrown
forward.
~ * ~ * ~
Nereus sat all alone in the library. The very *big* library in which he felt more than all alone in considering its size. He was uncomfortable, which was odd in itself, because going to the library was a daily part of his life. But today there was one thing missing, a person, to be exact. And the fact that that person was missing was why he was all alone.
He sighed, then shifted in the large blue velvet seat which used to be occupied by pillows before he threw them on the floor, because they made it uncomfortable (though it didn't really help things). He tried to read yet again, but it just wasn't the same. He tried thinking of something else instead of a particular someone. The two new boys were supposed to arrive soon.
Soon being a relative term, of course, but his father had gotten message that they were only a day's travel away, and that was yesterday when he got the letter. So in this case, soon meant that day unless they got stalled somehow. Either way he didn't really care. His sister was gone, and no one could replace that. But there was one reason he looked forward to their arrival.
He was extremely curious to see what the boys had to say about Eos, and if they had different dialects and what holidays they celebrated, and what they thought of Cyllene and...the questions just went on. Getting up, he scoured the walls and cases of books before he found some on history and a few on geography, which he began to read (and in some cases, reread ones he'd already looked at).
The library was not only large compared to most if not all in that time period, but it had a great variety. Some before the printing press that had been hand copied. This library alone survived and was untouched by book burnings and bans. Then again, very few were privileged enough to see some of the books, but the main area was open to everyone, foreigners, commoners, and nobles alike.
~ * ~ * ~
Endymion carefully took out his pen and ink bottle, although he had to thump the glass cask quite a few times before the frozen ink would melt. Pretty soon Kent and Nessus would be bursting in, and he wanted to finish his letter to Janus. So far, it ran:
Dear Janus (of Martiae),
Greetings! How has your journey been? Satisfactory, I hope. Now that all that is out of the way, I'd like to explain that is what my tutors have been trying to teach now in history and politics, you know, ruling a kingdom. How foolish that sounds, but it is declared the most polite and formal to welcome a diplomat that has traveled far. No, it doesn't mean from, say, a noble's quarters to my father His Majesty's audience hall, even though all the ambassadors here complain of the distance.
I wonder how they ever received their knighthoods, after all, we walk through mud, rain, puddles, ponds, and finally, lakes. How do you and Zephyr find Cyllene? He must be reading this over your shoulder, for lack of anything else, undoubtably done with the famed library there we heard of. I hope it withstands his high expectations.
I bet Nessus ten gold pieces that he had already finished the numerous scrolls he brought along, but Kent made us use silver instead, quite the old man he's acting like already, eh? Another interesting piece of information, if you'll allow me to skip around a bit. Kent has been appointed Knight Commander for when I become king, already starting training. Isn't that just fabulous? I believe father may even favor Nessus as well, which means I can keep my friends around me when I rule. But of course you all have lands to rule. Kent has numerous studies now and barely has time to see us, all sorts of long-dead rulers and past Knight Commanders, emissaries, government, statecraft, and the like.
He doesn't take weaponry classes with us anymore, as the current commander is instructing him. It would be fascinating to watch them, but I myself haven't the time. Poor Nessus is lonely without you, since we're both occupied. Kent has grown even more solemn and stiff, can you believe that Zephyr, two years younger and even quieter could have such a great impact on our friend? I hope you return soon, but it hasn't even been a fortnight. Have you-
A soft knocking came at the door, and his brow creased confusedly. His brown-haired friend had dignity and tact with all other people besides him and Janus, often bursting in on the two, but it made Zephyrus grouchy when it interrupted his studying. Kent had more force behind his knocks, so who could it be? Opening the door, he smiled when he saw his visitor. "Meliae!"
Throwing her arms around her brother, the dark-haired girl accused, "Endy, you haven't been around for a really long time now!"
"I'm sorry, but you know how many classes we all have."
Pouting as he closed the door, she sighed and sat down in a chair will he studied her. The same black hair and sparkling blue eyes as he possessed, but her features were feminine and a bit different. While the twinkle in Endymion's eyes was humor, her's was stubbornness. Good gods, Talaria must have passed on some of her spunk.
Funny, he hadn't noticed her visiting, but correspondence was enough to pass on information. Sighing, he mused, ‘At least Danae and Saliare are still normal...I hope.' Dismayed by her piercing gaze, he asked, "How are your own studies going?"
"Bad. *blush* Sorry, but learning how to curtsey and greet MEN is so aggravating. You're lucky you're past your page years, did you know that? Now you don't have to learn etiquette. And ball dancing, that's worse, I'd be better off at finishing school with that lady. She tells me that dancing is floating, as if over the surface of water, but it makes me nervous and stumble. I mean, if you are on the surface of, say, a lake, wouldn't you sink like a stone?"
*sweatdrop* "Meliae, slow down. Are you sure Talaria of Arcadia hasn't come to visit?"
Blue eyes growing dark, she shook her head quickly. "Endy, she wrote last to tell me that she has been staying with Danae of Moirae, Nessus's younger sister? Their lands are closer together, anyway, and they have been good friends since childhood. The Duke Aegis is ailing, and the word from the healers to Lady Hebe is that he won't live for much longer after a recent stroke!"
Flabbergasted, he said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Does-does Nessus now?" ‘Darn, I wouldn't know anyway, I don't see him anymore!'
"Most likely," Meliae nodded. "I also heard that Amor of Cyprus and Petasus, Talaria's twin, met for the first time recently and disliked each other. Funny how their brothers are best friends, but they are complete opposites."
"Whoa, slow down. You've been listening to too many of the old gossips hovering around the palace..." Frowning, he scribbled,
It sounds like Nessus's father, the Duke Aegis, isn't faring well. I better try and talk to him. Tell me about Cyllene if you have the chance or time and the studying of powers as well-isn't it forbidden in the land of Eos?
Sincerely,
Endymion (Prince of Ceto, etc., etc., etc., I would say other things, but I'm too upset for humor. Ask Zephyr to tell his sister to put a lid on things. I shall have a very long talk with Meliae now...pity me. Or you can pity her, either one is fine, and I'll stop the rambling now.)
~ * ~ * ~
Along the long and muddy journey to Cyllene, Zephyrus had soon become tired of trying to converse with his friend and stuck his nose in his book. Lonely and carrying a stubborn refusal to admit it to his usually understanding friend (except when it came to all females besides his mother and sister), Janus had faced the wall of the carriage for hours on end.
Now he was staring at the room's ceiling, a dark blue that was several shades darker than Nessus's navy blue eyes. All the colors of Cyllene's palace seemed to be dark, filled with woe and grief. He pitied the lord he had never seen, his heart large enough to fit the entire land in, swampy and rainy as it was.
Janus had met Nereus-not exactly a friendly and open youth, but he had been around enough closed people before to know how to draw them out. He held great sadness in his eyes, and the blonde was determined to find out what had caused it. Janus hated a sad world, and his life efforts were going to be to banish it, just as soon as he succeeded getting through the Ordeal of Knighthood-if he could.
He had been loved as a child, tenderly cared for, even slightly spoiled. There was no way otherwise that he could have grown up so sunnily. However, unlike most indulged and mollycoddled children, Janus had cherished the coming of his baby sister. Yet the thought saddened him, he hadn't seen her in years.
She was going to be growing up, and not in front of his eyes, either. He could still recall her face in detail, Saliare resembled their mother, and now, come to think of it, his best friend Endymion. He had been strong, physically, from childhood, but she was not. They were like light and dark, gold hair versus black, azure and medium blue. Nevertheless, the palace of Martiae had been fairly peaceful (despite his many scraped knees), since Janus could never bring himself to disagree with her unless it was for her own good.
Saliare resembled him in no way except the shape of the eyes, and few people noticed, but perhaps it was just because they hadn't been too eager to get in the path of the rambunctiousness Saliare displayed around her brother, and he had more than enough to go around. Rhea and Gradivus both loved their children and made time for them, and Gradivus taught his daughter to read, instead of bringing a tutor in. Rhea had actually taught her son how to use the bow and arrow before a sickness had overtaken her and made her almost bedridden now.
Turning his mind to his friends's childhoods, the first and foremost that came to mind was Nessus. His father had been old, quite old, holding the same qualities of loyalty and honor that some pages, squires, and even knights found ridiculous. The brown-haired boy was high-minded, and Janus hoped it would never be ruined.
Lady Hebe had been much younger than her husband, but they had been in love. Three years after their first son had been born, another child had been conceived: a son. But he hadn't survived even a month of infancy. Then came another child three years after that, a girl with black hair and light blue eyes.
Her features were like that of her brother's, and like Janus and Saliare, they had had a good relationship but with more fights. She was a light bringer, Danae was, as he himself was, and their efforts to bring Nessus out of constant seriousness had worked much better than Janus's sole attempts on Zephyr.
Endymion, Darien, had always born the burden of power on his shoulders. Pontus was a stern and unloving father but very good at ruling. But Diana, his wife, loved him, as he did her. She had the largest heart yet a weak physical form, and so she was the one that cherished her children and brought them up with the numerous nurses the king had hired.
When Endymion was two years old, a complicated tangle came into his life and threw itself at him. Meliae was excellent for the young prince, and he no longer snuck out of classes to find more interesting things to do before he became a page. That little bundle of curiosity was enough for him to handle. They loved each other dearly, but Meliae was spunk, spirit, and mischievousness in itself-she and Janus got along a bit too well, to the great chagrin of those who had been under fire of the two pranksters. She had been sad when her playmate left, but recently, Queen Diana had made her sit through lessons in acting like a lady, as princesses were made to do.
Lady Verticordia and Baron Anchises were negligent parents, who quarreled often and had not married for love. They were the typical pair of flighty nobles, and she was an unfaithful wife. Amor and Kent didn't get along, but they hadn't had the same parents.
Actually, they didn't care, and the two stayed out of each other's way. Anchises had made a deal with his lady, that they both could have other relationships if they kept the fief together. Kent had been stolid, silent, and unemotional after his first hurts. He'd never had his mother rock him to sleep, only a grouchy nurse.
No loving siblings, just a jealous half-brother that wanted his position as heir. His hurt ran deep, but his years with good friends and other boys like him and healed him, but only slightly. He shied away from court ladies and gentlemen that didn't look "respectful."
After all, his parents, who ruled Cyprus, would probably have let their land and people starve so they could have luxurious parties and attendances at court without their very trusted advisor that had sympathized with Kent. Not empathized, since he hadn't been put through that ordeal, but he had promised the sad, silver-haired boy when he left that his land wouldn't go to ruins.
Last, the situation with Zephyrus's parents was both like and unlike Kent's, which made them ideal friends. Circe and Wodan hadn't married for love, but they were both sensible and kind enough to get along well, ruling Arcadia in harmony and peace. They liked neutrality and had loved and taught their children with that embedded in their minds.
The lord and lady had three children, Zephyrus first, then twins, Talaria and Petasus. The eldest son, also heir, had learned right from the start when he was only one years old that his siblings would need care. Talaria had started by climbing out of her cradle nightly to investigate, often dragging her passive twin along.
Accidents occurred often around the blond girl, but she heeded nothing and went on. Zephyr often had to be on his guard, even at home, and he figured he had stopped Talaria from being run over by wagons, stepped on by a pony, breaking her neck when falling out of trees (she'd given the orchard boy a ‘run for his money', although climb would have been more appropriate), and had just managed to convince her not to try the swords in the armory.
She was skilled, witty, and very quick-also a good lock-picker, and everyone wondered how she'd learned it (her older brother cleared his throat and threw all accusations off himself despairingly, wondering where his common sense had gone at the time). Her brother pitied his future brother-in-law and his own younger brother, often dragged along into the dangers.
Petasus was more like Zephyrus, quiet, cautious. He lacked, however, the common sense and larger streak of independence, quite willing to let Talaria make the decisions. She wanted to be a warrior maiden and fight alongside women and not men. Yes, Janus wondered how his green-eyed friend had lived so long with the two without going mad. But all together, they were alright...right?
~ * ~ * ~
Sitting in Danae of Moirae's room, besides herself, was Zephyrus's younger and also blond sister, Talaria. Tearfully, the brown-haired girl asked, "Do you think my father's going to die?"
With cool and calm solidity, something she was not often known for, Talaria replied, "No. I mean, of course, there is a chance, but some of the best healers in Ceto are gathered here for Duke Aegis. If he fights and feels loved, he'll have a good chance at survival."
"That's slightly reassuring, I guess. Where did you hear about all this?"
*giggle* "My brother."
Looking surprised, blue eyes widening, the dark-haired girl questioned, "Not Petasus, surely, but Zephyrus? You haven't heard from him for four years!"
She explained, "Well, not exactly, but we do try to keep in touch by mail. No, not Petasus, Zephyr. He's going to be a healer-mage, hopefully. There was a letter from him just now addressed to all of us, since the king sent him and Janus of Martiae to Cyllene, which borders Arcadia. Perhaps I'll get to see him more often."
"Living in a castle isn't really all that nice," Danae suddenly declared, out of the blue, "I mean, of course everyone says festivities and warmth, fires, space, and everything are blessings, but it's really not that good. The castles are stone-damp, cold, and dripping. Nessus said the palace in Ceto is even worse than here. Fires aren't lit in all the rooms, the slightest gust of wind puts them out, and there's either too much space or too less."
Thoughtfully, blue eyes slightly hazy, her companion nodded. "I guess you're right. Sometimes cats don't help much with the mice, because there are too many. The insects...Arcadia isn't really empty. It's more often crowded, dirty, smelly, and the smell from the reeds on the dining room floor is just disgusting."
"And there's this very annoying stereotype that noble women are good for nothing but marriages, treaties, sewing, and the dullest of duties that are always ladylike. Plus, we aren't treated with any honor or anything. To put it simply, we're useless."
~ * ~ * ~
Amiliane got out of the carriage and solemnly waited for her guardian to get her baggage which was not that large considering the amount of time she was staying, but the rest would be sent later-hopefully. The sky was a dark gray and it was raining. The rest of the rest of her traveling party was bustling hurriedly about, but she stood there quietly before uplifting to her face to the sky as rain mingled with tears.
Though she shed none the sky and clouds cried for her. Feeling the wet coolness she smiled slightly before someone harshly grabbed her arm and dragged her inside. She gave one backwards look before being shoved indoors. It was dinner time there, meaning she had also missed that meal. Pushing wet bangs out of her eyes she looked around. Everything was neat and had an orderly appearance if not a cozy one. It was a few minutes before she was told she was to bathe and dress before she met the headmistress. Finally, she was left alone.
There was someone right outside the door, but besides that, she was in solitude. A warm bath had been prepared with various perfumes and hot water. The fragrances and steam
wafted around the room lazily casting an intoxicating spell of strong smelling flowers on a humid day. Thankful for the quiet and calm, she washed off the grime and grease that had made traveling more than uncomfortable. T
he water had a calming effect on her-whether it was the frigid rain or the warm bath water.
Ice's Authors Notes:
I made Makoto slightly...hm...I don't know, but she's just like me. The way she stands up for how gals are just as good as guys. ^^ You can probably guess which sections were done by which author by the style. Originally, The First Chronicle was posted in parts, but I decided they needed major revision, went back, and changed things. Each book will be a one-parter, which will take a long time to get out. But they are planned out, slightly.
This was basically a nondescript chapter that's an introduction and will get you used to the characters and setting, sort of. Next chapter, we enter strange magical beasts and, of course, powers. Keep in mind this isn't supposed to be a realistic story, supposedly angst much later on (for now we're using satire), and yes, the generals and senshi will meet.
*UNFINISHED!!!*
Legend of Ten-Main Page
Prologue and Character Profiles
