Flies The carriage rolled across the cobblestone path and under the raised caste gates. Around the small party, soldiers gazed on with a hungry sort of suspicion. A few rubbed their thumbs across their hilts as they waited for an order from their captains. But no one moved, despite the unfamiliar coach. Lord Saionji's men where immediately recognized by their insignia, even if the general himself never strayed from his saddle. Could they be escorting a dignitary? A prisoner? A slight-figured boy, in the garb of a page, rushed to meet the burly captain and his charges. "Ah, Sir Balus! Ah, w-who have we-?" The mustached captain gave a small huff before his raising his voice to be heard by those who were beginning to gather about them. "Get ye off and call fer Master Ruka. My charges be a-growin' impatient. Hurry lad!" The boy scurried off back towards the archway looming before them, as the green striped knights began dismounting at Balus' command. Inside the coach, it occupants stirred restlessly. But they didn't have long to wait, as a figure began to calmly stride towards them. The page boy from earlier scurried behind him at a respectful distance. The lord was tall and slim, his pale skin seeming magnified by the deep navy tunic trimmed in a resplendent silver, peacock feathers swirling across in its surface in silver thread. He wore an exotic looking white fur vest over the tunic itself. He was taking off his crushed velvet bag-hat, and The White Knight could see now that his hair color was only a shade lighter than his dark ensemble. Ruka addressed the captain, who fell to one knee with his company. "Now then Sir Balus. For what reason have I been called? Surely you recall that today is the King's banquet for his vassals." His words were spoken with a charming smile, his face friendly. Balus gave a slight grimace knowing full well that the baron could be hard as steel when pushed. "A-ah my lahrd Baron. Forgive me fer disturbin' yeh on this merry occasion. Allow me to present to yeh the most esteemed Princess Anthy and her knight, sir Tenjou." Figuring it best if he were to let the White Knight handle the negotiations of getting them inside, the men moved as one oiled unit to form two lines one either side of the carriage doors. Balus opened the door to the coach and kneeled as he assisted the dark skinned beauty from within. As her slippered foot touched the ground, Ruka blanched slightly before covering his shock with a smiling mask. What on earth was Anthy doing dressed like that? Where had she gotten such things, that was pure silk and there on the embroidery was gold thread! That velvet was of too high a quality to be anything but cut from the Tailor Guild's private stores. What was a slave girl doing dressed like a Queen! A 'Princess' indeed, when the King found out about this there would be dire consequences. Ruka fought not to frown in worry. And when the King was upset...those around him usually found cause to become upset as well... But with Anthy looking up at him with a patient guarded expression, so familiar on her visage, Ruka found himself a bit baffled. He knew of Anthy by sight and by reputation. And she better than anyone knew what the King would do. It was an open secret that she was his only sister. A filthy stain, the ladies of court caustically remarked, upon the King's lineage. And from the looks of it she was uncomfortable in what she wore. Unhappy to be there within the castle grounds. (Of course Ruka was only able to pick this out by looking at the tension in her shoulders and the slight crease at her eyes. Anthy wore that blank expression she always did.) It didn't make sense. Why all of a sudden was she... His breath hitched at who stepped from the coach next. Mother of all the was Holy...it couldn't be! A tall clanking figure bent its body and stepped forth from the coach. Men on the battlements raised their weapons immediately, as they trained them on the fearsome figure. Nearly over Ruka's height, wearing massive steel boots that thudded onto the powdery dirt, the White Knight uncurled to its full height and stared him down. His face grew even paler if it was possible. The navy haired man's lip trembled a touch, his pleasant mask crumbling. "You...y-you...By the gods, it's you!" Not the most intelligent thing he'd ever said. He'd be kicking himself mentally later for sounding like such a simpleton. But who wouldn't stammer in shock and awe as the sun gleamed on that shining white armor? Who wouldn't step back in fear and utter admiration as that demonic face guard trained on his face. And those glowing blue eyes...how fascinating! His furred long-vest flapped heavily as Ruka fell into a low bow. "M-my lord Guardian! Forgive me, I pray thee, for not acknowledging you sooner!" The knight remained silent, as if contemplating him. Just what thoughts passed behind those hellish eyes? It was like every nightmare and fervent religious dream come true! The Guardian...asleep for two thousand years...had awakened! Ruka rose from his deep bow, the soldiers still standing stiffly. Those who watched them from afar looked shell-shocked to see Ruka lower himself in front of the dangerous looking stranger. But crossbows were pointed up and swords resheathed. The castle held its breath. "I am the Baron of the Tsuchiya lands, Most Holy Swordsman. Ruka, vassal to the king. I had never thought in all my years to see you standing before me...awake!" Utena was completely confused by his tone and words, but of course her steel mask gave no indication of this. She would have to ask Anthy about it. Answering him, Utena gave a slight bow in return. "It is good to be awake. But now I have come to meet with the high King of these lands." The man gave a grin of satisfaction at this. "Ah, but of course you are! Please, allow me to announce you and lead you to the banquet hall. The King is in attendance with his court at the moment." He cocked his head towards Anthy, speaking over her completely in habit. "And what of her? Will she be attending you lord?" He barely had time to get the words out of his mouth before the massively plated knight stepped forward quickly. The voice that rolled from within that suit of armor had gone cold and dangerous. "She will not be attending anyone." The knight straightened and crossed its arms. Ruka hesitantly straightened as well. "Tonight, before the king and his nobles and knights, I shall be announcing my allegiance to her...as well as introducing her as Princess." Ruka's jaw dropped in shock before he could stop himself. He blinked at the dusky girl a minute in surprise before recovering quickly. "I..see..." The Baron was nothing if not a skilled politician. And he immediately let it be known where he was laying his cards. "Forgive me your Majesty. My rudeness was unforgivable." He bowed and kissed her hand. She smiled demurely and nodded her head, still looking slightly distracted. No wonder, it would seem it had been the Guardian's intent to come, not hers. He silently sympathized. Their meeting with the King...who knew what would occur? In any case, he had best get them inside and announce them. Offering his arm gentlemanly to the smaller girl, Ruka smiled. "Come then my Princess. I shall introduce you to the glittering throng within." His voice was a touch sarcastic, but his humor seemed restored. The Knight followed behind them. "Let us hope our great King is in good spirits." As the trio moved down the corridor, servants whispering as they passed, and a general buzz beginning amongst the pages, Ruka took a moment to look down at the woman he escorted. She really was a pretty thing, the hues in her skin exotic next to the red of her dress. And with her hair styled and cleaned, a far cry from the disheveled thing he normally saw lurking in the corridors, it was obvious to see she and Akio were related. Her face was at last exposed, and it certainly wasn't homely. In fact, he realized in mild amazement, she really was quite...beautiful. Her petite hand on his arm tightened a fraction as they neared the large ornate double doors. He released her and moved to them. "I shall enter first, and announce your presence. Good luck to you both." He gave a genuine smile, and replaced his hat. A small wave of farewell, the Baron stepped inside. Anthy shivered as the solid door was closed by its attending guards. Beyond....beyond lay her fate. What would Akio do when he saw his sister prancing about in a- Her thoughts ceased as the knight stepped behind her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. They cannot touch you here. I will not let them." The unseen voice reminded gently, and Anthy let out a small breath. She had no choice but to trust her Guardian. Utena was a holy relic after all. So she knew what she was doing...right? It took quite an effort to shove down her doubts. From beyond she heard Ruka's clear voice ringing out. She had always liked his voice. Today she wasn't so sure that still stood. "My lords and ladies. Please allow me to humbly present to you the lovely Princess Anthy...and the Guardian of Dios." The buzzing room fell dead silent as those words dropped. The guards at the door pushed them open with a flourish, and Anthy was suddenly being steered inside. A sick knot of fear twisted in her gut. But she remained outwardly calm, a result of practice. As they stepped in side by side, she felt Utena shift to walk slightly behind her. All eyes were now on them. Before them, ranged about an enormous horseshoe table, The gleaming King sat with his vassals and court. Dukes, Earls, Ladies of all ranks and colors all ranged about in a multitude of places. Silk rustled, leather creaked, pearls gleamed from throats and rings as a kingdom's weight in gold encrusted every sitter. But for all their pomp and peacocking, the real attention was focused on the very highest place settings on the dais. There the King sat with his wife and closest company. An empty place setting remained, presumably Saionji's place. Utena's blue laser eyes rolled across the seated nobles, making them jerk with fright. They settled on the King before winking out. The King watched with a charming smile. Of all the nobles, he alone remained impassive and at ease. As if the two women's arrival was nothing out of the ordinary. "Well well, what have we here..." The voice came from a red haired man sitting to Akio's right. His gleaming circlet matched the gleam in his eyes. Two seats down from the king, a woman with orange curls looked bored. Akio's lips parted in a welcoming smile as the two came to the fore and bowed. His eyes trained on his sister. "Anthy...so you've returned at last. I was quite upset when I had found you gone." His smile was like the sun shining, his words sweet enough to melt butter. Utena paused internally. The king...had not been what she had expected... She carefully watched those warm emerald eyes train themselves on her, and watched them stiffen coldly. The look quickly passed. Perhaps she wasn't so mistaken about him after all. The king inclined his head towards her, in deference. "And my eyes must misguide me. For surely this is not the deity of legends, the Holy Warrior of the Mountain." The tension in the room was suddenly thick to choke on as shock and recognition ran on every face. The Guardian? Surely not! Was this truly the enshrined deity standing before them. New eyes turned to the pair, as Utena placed a hand on Anthy's shoulder. "With the aide of this young woman, I have...awakened." The voice from the suit of armor startled many, as if they hadn't expected the thing to be able to speak. Several ringed hands moved to make the holy sign across their breasts, as whispering broke out in floods. The king lifted his hand and the room quieted. "To what do we owe this great honor, my Lord Guardian?" The room waited in anticipation. Utena's back was straight, her cloak thrown back to expose the rose sigil on her breastplate. Making her voice go low, to sound more like a man's, she answered without any hesitation. "I intend to make certain you deserve your crown. And to announce that Anthy will be regaining her place as Princess." Ruka's earlier smirk when he had announced them suddenly reverted to a look of horror at the bluntness of that statement. The King arched an eyebrow but never faltered. "I see...of course it is your prerogative as a representative of Dios. And to have my dear sister take her place among us..." his eyes fastened onto Anthy, who took a small step towards her Guardian. "...such a decision will be honored and respected of course. I'm sure Anthy will receive all she is due, very soon." Those words had an ominous ring to them that Utena didn't like a bit. Turning her head slowly to capture all in her gaze, she made a quick decision and unsheathed her sword in a smooth movement. The sound was unlike any steel ever heard before. A unique ring that rolled over the ears like crystal, resonating through the mind. Several soldiers along the walls sighed dreamily. Holding her sword out, before snapping it up in a salute, Utena addressed the eyes before her. "I have come here to fulfill my Duty. And by law and decree I shall also serve my Charge. " Then she dropped the grandstanding and pointed her sword at the table of nobles gazing back at her. Her voice had dropped to a deep sarcasm as she dropped the formality like a load of bricks. "So let's all be sure to play nice. Anthy is under my protection, and anyone who harms her will be eating this sword." The blue flaming eyes seemed to go even colder, "I'm sure your green general will inform you he found that out the hard way." The menace in the words was clear, and Utena would have added more but she felt a small hand gripped her own in warning. Straightening and reheating her sword she folded her armored arms as the room about her shifted uncomfortably. The red haired man was frowning slightly in disapproval as he sipped from his goblet. The King's own lips were in a frown. "But of course...Lord Knight. Surely none would dare touch my sister." The room began to buzz quietly. The king and the knight stared at one another, sizing up the other. And Utena felt...something. Something nearly indefinable, like the gossamer touch of spider's silk. Then it was gone and the King was smiling charmingly again. His handsome tanned face looked carved from the most perfect of marble, smooth and flawless. The women below him tittered softly. "Will you join us? Surely you will not dismiss such a grand feast, to be held in honor of our Princess?" His hand swept across the trays and platters ladened with roasted meats, delicacies from across the kingdom, colorful fruits coated in syrups and sugars, and decorative centerpieces made from platters of cheese and warm bread. Personally Utena didn't feel a need to eat, but thought perhaps Anthy would be hungry. But Anthy herself spoke, recapturing the attention of the room with her soft voice. "Thank your Majesty. But I think perhaps it best if we were to retire for now." Akio smiled tenderly at his sister, seeming for all the world a doting brother. But they both knew the truth. "In that case, dear Anthy, I shall have a servant escort you to your new apartments, and have a platter sent up later." He turned to the Guardian. "And would you like to-" "I shall agree with the Princess, and retire for now. Please enjoy your feast, your Majesty." The two bowed and began to leave the room as Akio called back to Anthy's retreating back. "Welcome home, sister." Anthy gazed back as the door was closing behind them, just in time to see a wicked smile play across those cherubic lips. The door closed with a loud creak. Sometime later found the emerald eyed princess in a lavish room, looking out a window. She was alone, the servant having left, and she felt caged. Her brother...there was no mistaking the malice. He hadn't liked seeing her there before everyone, on the arm of a deity. Not one bit. But he really hadn't liked the Guardian herself. Lady Tenjou really made an enemy...if only she hadn't challenged him outright! Anthy sighed and fiddled with a string on her dress. Most of all she felt tired. Tired of the fear and loneliness. Tired of the burning eyes that glared at her from behind painted smiles. The whole kingdom hated her it felt like. What was a witch slave doing playing such a cheap game? She half-wished she had never ran away in the first place. Things would be worse for her now. I've...I've lived too long in the shadows. I don't even know how to act like a princess! How am I supposed to do this? Her mind agonized. And now Akio... She shuddered, feeling those large phantom hands move across her body for a moment. He scared her, not because he would kill her outright though. Death rarely bothered her anymore. She'd tried enough times to kill herself after all. No...it was...the inability to say no around him. If he asked her, she would drop everything to come to him. She hated being used by him, but craved it as well. She had been his playmate (and the playmate of his council of advisors) for years. Would one day in a dress really change that? Could the Guardian really change that? She didn't see how. Sighing, she rested her forehead against the glass and iron panes. The room felt like a cage...and she was the bird in residence. A soft rap came at the door, and she went to answer it. Expecting to find Utena, she instead stood face to face with the red haired Touga from the banquet hall. "Hello my Princess. I wanted to greet you personally and welcome you back to the castle. I trust all is well?" His hand slid slowly up the doorframe as he watched her. Eyes twinkling seductively. Touga was one of her...regular visitors. Anthy tensed, glancing behind him for her Guardian, but saw no one. Touga noticed the glance. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Rather, I'm sorry you feel uncomfortable around me. We've known each other for such a long time, that I should think we would be friends by now." Anthy's eyes narrowed as her blank smile came to her lips automatically. "Forgive me, Lord Touga. I was simply curious as to the reason for you visit. Is there something I can help you with?" Come on Utena...please come out to check on me... Her secret plea surprised her. Had she come to rely on the swordswoman so much in such a short time? Oh if only she were as strong as her... Touga gave his sly knowing smile as he replied, shifting his red mane back over his shoulder. "Ah, I've actually come to play messenger. King Akio was hoping to request a private meal with you, to catch up on this new change in status." His lips brushed the knuckles of her hand as he gently lifted it. "Your brother was most concerned for your health these past two days-" "We'd be glad to. Please thank the king for his delightful invitation." Came a voice from the hall. The blue eyed knight was clanking mechanically toward them, eyes trained unblinkingly on Touga. He hid his small start with a rolling motion of his upper body, turning to face the oncoming speaker. "The Guardian! I'm honored to finally meet you." The Guardian snorted and pushed past him. Blinking in surprise he stumbled, and had to catch hold of the wall to keep from falling over. Utena leaned her armored head out around the corner and gruffly spoke, "Well the same cannot be said." And with that the Guardian shut the door in the playboy's face. Back inside the room, Utena locked the door and then removed her helm. Her pink hair was lightly plastered about her forehead and cheeks, so she brushed it away in annoyance. Anthy suddenly felt the urge to giggle at the disgruntled look on her face. The knight chucked her helmet into a chair as she plopped down into one adjacent from it and crossed her arms. "Hmph. I don't like him." Came the simple reply as Anthy hid a smile. The relief she felt with having him gone was real though, as she moved to sit down on the bed across from her knight. Silence passed for a time, as the knight seemed to be debating something. Then she spoke with a look of embarrassment and awkwardness. "My Princess-" "Anthy, Utena." A small smile, "Anthy, I was thinking that...I may need your help." Utena stood up, seemingly unable to sit still for long, and began pacing lightly. Her boots muffled on the carpeting. "This world...this...this kingdom. It's strange to me. I didn't grow up in an era like this. Everything is so...so old fashioned. And there's a strict social cast here." The knight ran a hand on the back of her head, gazing out the window. She then jutted out her chin slightly and looked directly into Anthy's eyes. "I'm good at military things: tactics, fighting, espionage...but politics? I'm awful." Anthy cocked her head to the side, wondering where this was going. Utena quickly answered though. "I need someone to teach me. I'd like for it to be you. As long as I am here in this place, I need to do my best to do my job of making things right. But I can't do that if I don't understand how to address certain people the right way, or...or know just who's the people I should concern myself with. Do your people have guns? Have you learned to build advanced machinery? How technological are you? What sort of things have influenced you? How many kingdoms are here? Who are your allies and enemies?" The pinked haired woman looked frustrated. "I-I just don't have the answers to my questions. I need someone on the inside who I can trust. Someone who can explain all of the inner workings of this current Ohtori. I don't want to...fail you in this..." Her shoulders seemed to slump a touch, as she rested her gloved hands on the window sill. Anthy found herself fascinated, watching the light pouring in stream across that strawberry hair, outlining her pale profile. Standing and placing a hand on the shoulder of a creature from the greatest legends, Anthy found herself offering comfort. "It will be okay. I will of course help you, so long as you will help me." Utena looked up to find a warm smile and calm green eyes. Her lips twitching into a smile of her own, the tension in her back eased. "Thank you Anthy...but I doubt you will need any help. You have already handled yourself well today." Utena sighed and stretched. "Being in that stone banquet room, all those tapestries and a wooden throne...I couldn't help but feel that I feel asleep one day and the world passed me by." She chuckled, and it was a pleasant sound, "I guess in a way it did." She jerked her head in the direction of her room as she began to head over toward her helm. "And by the way...there's an odd maid who seems to have an awful habit of helping herself into my room. She nearly broke my back jumping onto my arm like that." Utena sounded bemused. Anthy did giggle this time. "Ah, I see you've met Wakaba. She has a habit of attaching herself to new residents in the castle. I'd be careful where I you...she has a skeleton key." Utena looked absolutely horrified at the suggestion, and Anthy smiled politely as she picked up the helm. "Not to worry Sir Knight. I imagine wearing this to bed will deter most advances." Utena muttered something under her breath and took back her helm. As she put it on, Anthy spoke. "We have some time before we have to...to see my brother. Why don't I give you a tour of the castle." Utena nodded in approval. "Yes, good idea. And we can dodge the maids as we go." Anthy laughed brightly as the two exited together. From the corner of on wall, a figure watched them leave and pursed its lips. This new development had thrown a major wrench in their plans. But they were cunning...they would work this new factor in somehow... Taking note of the way the white knight kept cautiously close to its smaller companion, the figure slipped away and headed for a more shadowed corridor. This would require a bit more observation... To Be Continued.
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