Fan Fiction ❯ Jet ❯ meeting ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four.

Captain Tae urged his dragon out over the grey clouds of the night. His mind was filled with blind hatred, hatred for the king. He knew that he had important choices lying ahead of him. The king had given permission for Tae to take out a flight the royal dragons. Not the huge black war-beasts, the smaller silver dragons used mainly by the nobility for fun and by the armies as scouts. These animals, called Rain dragons because of their size, colour and speed, were now racing over the Oceans towards Solaris.

Around him, Tae's men were unusually quiet. There was no laughter. These men had been friends to Crein. Tae felt a prickling being his eyes as he though of his tortured son lying on his bed at home. Crein hadn't still hadn't said a word. Anger boiled in Tae's mind. It wasn't fair! What right did the king think he had, doing that? What right did he have hurting his own people….

"Captain!" Tae's new lieutenant, Lang-ji, a boy of nobility and a close friend of Crein, was consulting the seeker strapped to his wrist, " We are approximately 2 hours away from Solaris. Where would you like us to head?"

Tae thought to himself, were would the princess be hiding? He had no idea. Their best bet was to gain altitude, avoid detection and head for the Visgothic spies in the ruins of the Avidea forest to the north. He looked at his lieutenant, "We head to Avidea forest, to seek news of her highness."

Lang-ji nodded and called out commands to the men.

Tae returned to his troubled thoughts. He was filled with anger and guilt. He now knew a little of what was in store for the princess if she was captured, her beautiful face flashed in his mind. She was like a niece to him, he wanting to protect her. But how can I? It would mean the death of Crein.

******

Shem strutted around the gilded assembly hall, her finest dress and robes floating out behind her. She had had her hair freshly tinted, to hold back it's normally greenish hue and was wearing all her most expensive jewels. Like a short stout insect, she glared in the bright light of the throne chamber as she crawled along the smooth polished stone floors before the Solaris nobility.

The speaker, an elf by the name of Chunfai stood up in his place. He was one of the chief advisers and looked with outrage at Shem. His refined silken robes, displaying his old, aristocratic family's rune-mark rustled slightly as he stood. Standing tall, Lord Chunfai addressed Shem, "What, my lady, is the meaning of this!" The other advisers and ministers murmured agreement. Chunfai continued, "You have called the full assembly, in the Kings absence! It is treason!" The murmurs grew to roars. Shem smiled to herself, "I have called this assembly to discuss something vital to our young kings well being!" the advisers paid attention, somewhat sceptically, `of course!' `Shem Loves the king!' `Not treasonous at all!' Their sarcasm irritated the proud woman.

Shem glared. The room fell into silence. "If you would let me talk…"

Shem spun on her high heels, and glided over towards the delicate, gilt, pale jade throne. Gasps were evident as she reached it, to sit upon the Golden Throne of Solaris was an act of high treason. Shem walked directly towards it, then turned at the last moment, walking around it, enjoying the exclamations of the nobility behind her. She spread her arms and called to the white marble of the great carving that stood behind the throne. As her audience watched in shock, the royal family's crest flattened out to form a smooth white wall. Chunfai spoke up again in outrage, "How dare you! It is treason!"

Shem interupted him, "Calm down Lord Chunfai!" she smiled her sickening smile, "I only need a clean canvas, I will return the crest when I am done. Now. The reason I called you all her today, is not, as some of you…" she glanced at the fuming Chunfai, "believe, to plot against the king. I have horrible news which I feel obligated to tell you." She summoned a chair, one, which resembled the throne a great deal, and sat before the congregation.

She relished in her mind what she was about to say, it was the beginning of a new life for her. Soon her dreams would come true!

"You would have all noticed the change in his majesty Eito Li-Xan-moi. Since his return from his 6-month disappearance, he had been acting very oddly. He has been moody and hidden away in his room, not the cheerful young man we are used to, no?"

Lord Chunfai spoke again, "He is a sixteen year old, that is completely normal, lady Shem. Does this have a point?"

She smiled indulgently, "Why yes. I have learned why our king has been behaving so oddly. I did not believe it at first, when it was first suggested to me, but just yesterday my fears were confirmed. I was returning my ritual sword to the armory, when Master Li-Xan happened to appear. He was dressed in travelling robes with his war sword and spear. I was about to ask him were he going, when he took up his bow and arrow. I was dumb struck when I realised he was dressed almost, almost for war!"

Chunfai looked at her impatiently, "So the boy was going hunting. Your point?"

"That is not my point, it is part of it. It was what he said that betrayed his tragic condition." Shem sighed with mock sadness. "I heard him quite clearly say; ` I will find you Jetixiou.'… Yes! The visgoth princess! I have reason to believe that the King has been seduced by her!"

Chunfai sighed audibly, "Is that all! I was worried you'd really found out something horrible had happened to him…." He glanced at Shem, "You could have been a bit more inventive at least."

Shem looked at him in anger, "I have proof! Chun-fai! I wish you to perform a memory display on me! I have nothing to hide! If I cannot prove this to you then our king might be harmed!"

Chunfai looked at the old elven woman in disbelief, "You are willing to have a memory read?" perhaps she is telling the truth…it explained the spell on the wall… "Very well. I take it that is why you so dramatically erased the crest off the wall?"

"Yes"

Chunfai placed his hand on Shem's thin skull, "Very well then. What time yesterday?"

"6:15pm I believe.."

Shem was felling a little nervous, what if Chunfai displays some other, embarrassing moment?

The white marble of the rear wall turned black, then an image of the royal armory became evident in darkness. Before them the ministers watched engrossed as a green haze formed into the king. Sure enough he was clad in fine riding robes of green, white and gold, and there on his slender form sat the huge war blade of the Light Dynasty, forged eons ago in another world. He held his golden spear and a bulging leather bag was strapped around him. He was dressed for war, and in a hurry. He glanced along the rows of weaponry, "Where is it?!" From the bag came a soft `meow'. The fat furry head of the King's pet cat appeared, the boy didn't notice. "Ah!" He flicked his wrist and a great long bow and quiver of arrows floated down of the racks.

The boy slung them over his shoulder and then whispered to himself; ` I will find you Jetixiou.' Then he disappeared in a haze of his green solari magic.

Shem snatched her head away from Chunfai's delicate fingers, hoping he wouldn't see her angry over-reaction, but he had seen the next minutes memory already. He knew now that this was a true memory, but he knew why Shem had told the council of it. She was jealous.

The tall elvish lord walked across the hall. "This proves nothing Shem. We don't know what the king was talking of. We do know he thinks respectfully of the girl's powers however. I believe he may wish to find her for far more simple reasons, perhaps he has realised that the only way he could ever be her ally is to seek her out without the council's permission."

Shem looked at Chunfai with anger in her light green eyes, "I'm telling you that the Visgothic…girl, has done something to him! We must find him and have it exorcised! Before it is to late!"

To Chunfai's horror he heard a few murmurs of agreement from the ministers. Shem had fooled them. "Well. We shall ask him of it when he returns, until then.."

Shem broke in, "No! We must put out a warrant for him! The sooner he is cleansed the better! Her spells will be to strong to break otherwise!"

Chunfai turned on Shem, she was reminded of his nephew Li-Xan, "NO. I shall have nothing to do with the arrest of Li-Xan! We send out messengers. That is all!"

The tall lord strode from the hall.

*********

The stars burnt brightly in the blue blackness of night, but the Li-Xan had no time to admire them. The great black Valkyerie and its' skilful rider bore down upon poor Otto, still new to the refined skill of flying. Li-Xan was able to raise his blade and block the girl's first attack only very narrowly. She reacted lightning fast and he had to use his spear to block her next thrust. Their horses bumped into one another as the two elves fought. Li-Xan wanted to tell Jetixiou he wasn't after her, but it was taking all his energy just to keep all his limbs attached to his body. In between blows he caught glimpses of her beautiful ivory skin and blazing eyes in amongst the darkness…I have to stop this! They were evenly matched, blow for blow, but one of them would die soon. He did the only thing that his muddled brain could think of, he lowered his sword and sat motionless in the saddle of his scared horse.

*

The boy is so strong! I have never met someone I couldn't finish with one blow before! Who is he? She took in his clothing in between attacks, observing that he was not taking the offensive and didn't seem overly eager to kill her. She was stumped. Suddenly he stopped. Lowered that huge golden blade of his and just sat there, waiting to be killed. She didn't understand. Who is he? Do I know him or something? His face wasn't very visible in the night sky…even with her Visgothic eyes, suited to darkness, she could only make out a delicate face of a young boy and blazing green eyes, rimmed in gold. He was a Solaris noble then. She sighed, "Who are you?"

The elf started a little, "Umm, well…"

Jet put her hands on her hips impatiently, "Well? Do you have a name?"

The boy replied, "um.." he cleared his throat, feeling stupid, "my name is Eito Li-Xan-moi."

There was silence.

"…. you're the king? Well then." There was more silence as Jet regarded the young king in front of her. But then something clicked, the face was a bit finer, the eyes had gold, but the voice was the same. "Hey! I recognise your voice! You're that guard I met in that tavern a while back!"

"Yes. That's me."

"Hmm. why didn't you let me get arrested? You're my sworn enemy remember? And why'd you dress up as a guard?"

"Well…I'm not an old-fashioned person if you know what I mean. You're a nice person, and I'd rather judge a person after I've met them, rather on what their called."

"Typical. You're the king of Solaris and you want to be friends with me? What would you're people say?"

"Calm down! I have an offer for you."

"What? A quick execution?"

The boy looked at her in mild frustration, "No. We become allies. You stay in Solaris as an honoured guest, where your father won't be able to capture you. I help you get you throne back, and you help me prevent a war."

Jet's eyes held mystified surprise, "So, you're saying that, you'll protect me from my father, help me get back my throne, and all I have to do is not invade you're country afterwards? Are you serious?"

Li looked uncomfortably at her eyes blazing through the darkness, "Yes. My palace is to the south of here, past the Avidea forest. We can formally decide there," he glanced up at her, "and no I won't have you murdered in you're sleep." He smiled at the look of shock on Jet-Xou's face.

"What makes you think I'll believe you?"

The Elven king smiled at her through the darkness, "Who else are you going to believe? Yourself?"

The girl's eyes narrowed. Li yelped in pain, "Hey! I was joking!..geez.."

*****

Captain Tae's guard were nearing the forest, soon, Tae though with relieve I will be able to rest for a while. The sky around them, was clear and full of bright white stars, it was beautiful. The gleaming skins of the Rain dragons burnt among them. Tae looked over at his lieutenant, Lang-ji. "I'd like you to lead the men to the hide-out of our spies."

"Yes my lord. We are but a mile from the ruins now…." The boys voice trailed off as his keen vision settled on two..valkyeries ahead! He looked over at his captain, "Do they know of our coming? Perhaps?"

"Hmm. Use a watch charm and see who they are."

Lang-ji reached into his pouch and removed a blue charm pellet, popped it into his mouth and stared hard at the two figures ahead of him. His eyes widened in shock.

"It's..It's…IT's the princess!! and.. and.. a Solaris elf ..a noble maybe I can't quite see his face.."

The captain saw some movement ahead. "What happened?"

"She just slapped him! Hang on.. I can see his face…WHAT? It can't be.." disbelief broke lang-ji's voice.

Tae's face took on a look of suspense, "Who is it?"

Lang-ji's face was a mask of shock and horror, "it's.. The King!"

"What?! The Solaris King?"

********

Jet was smiling to herself while the cute boy next to her grumbled and rubbed his arm. She had enjoyed that. Her black valkyerie meanwhile, had taken on an air of dignified superiority towards Eito Li-Xan-moi's horse. Jet observed this and asked Li-Xan how he had a Valkyerie halfbreed.

The boy smiled pleasantly, "Oh. Otto was just an ordinary horse, but I made up a few charms and gave him wings and a voice. I regret giving him a voice though. He has quite an irritating personality…"

The fat white horse interrupted, "Hey! I'm a wonderful conversationalist! You're just jealous that you're horse has been revealed as a more interesting person that you."

Li-Xan looked across at Jet, "See what I mean? Everything he says in sarcasm! I liked him more when he just neighed.."

Jet laughed, "The king who gets beaten in arguments by his horse!"

Li was so happy at seeing that cold face laugh that he joined in, even though he was mocking himself.

He decided that he probably ought to figure out some more about her before he became her ally, so he changed the subject, "Any word from you're father Jetixiou Vek-rai?" He asked, using her full name.

This puzzled her, she had forgotten that he was a king and should speak formally. "Oh, Eito-li-Xan-moi, no. Not really. I know that my friend Captain Tae, (you met him at the tavern), is unwilling to catch me, and from what I know most of the nobility agree with him. So I think the king will change his tactics soon, maybe send the army after me."

She noticed Li-Xan's eyebrows furrow slightly. "I never knew exactly why you're in this situation…Why did you have to run away Jetixiou?"

Jet looked away from Li-Xan's concerned face, "Well I …"Her voiced trailed off and, frowning, she turned her black Valkyerie around with a swift motion of her feet. Li-Xan spun around with rather more difficulty, "What..? Who are they..and are those dragons?" The kings face was a picture of disbelief.

"Yes, those are the rain dragons, we can't out run them…" Her face set, she drew her fine, silver double sword, and reformed it into two long separate swords. Li-xan drew out his great gold blade and pushed his horse into a fast gallop, if that was the right word, yelling out the mind numbing war-cry of his family. Beside him Jet's war-cry seemed to mix with his own. Ahead of them, a group of thirty dark elvish guards, mounted on silver dragons spread out and answered their calls.

*****

Lang-ji did what he had been trained to do, he quickly sent a mind call to the royal messenger and then drew his silver sword. Around him his men were turned to himself and the captain, weapons at the ready. The lieutenant looked to his leader. Tae's face was set, "Don't harm the princess. Don't kill the king.", his men nodded, "Attack!"

Their dragons dropped towards the two small figures on horseback. Lang-ji looked with admiration upon the beautiful princess, he remembered her words when had seen her last, at the tavern. He, like the men riding beside, was amazed that he was making war against..Princess Jetixiou …Because of a tattoo!. He shook his head. It was madness. He was still thinking these thoughts hours later as the remaining guards surrounded the princess and the king.

AN: …>^x^<… `meow' errmm..there is chapter four. I made an attempt to get rid of typos.. I may have failed however. Thankyou for the review dude… I suppose I'll wait and see if anyone bothers reading it before I put up the rest ya?