Fan Fiction ❯ Shielded in Broken Armours ❯ Part 1: Song of the Nightingale ( Chapter 7 )
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.30.2004 | Updated On: 11.30.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 167 | Status: Completed
by Alice Montrose
completed July 31, 2004
Chapter Seven
Meris Owen was officially still on leave, but he stopped by anyway and made sure Marzio and Ceni were comfortable with their new accommodations. Then he asked Ceni to join him for lunch. That left Marzio all alone, and he had nothing better to do than lunge back on the pallet and try to catch up on his sleep.
He had barely closed an eye, thinking and re-thinking about the whole situation. The first conclusion he came up with was that Ignis would have told him the truth, had they not been interrupted. Another one was that, now, the Demon would never look for him again.
That face... He had seen the man behind the mask. A face he was sure the prince hid very carefully, and the Angelian wondered if he showed it often. Probably not. The Demons had looked as terrified as he had been.
Someone came in. Lunch, he thought, hearing the sound of plates being arranged on the small table. He didn't bother to open his eyes, instead he imagined he was back home, and all this had been just another nightmare. His mother was there, looking beautiful in her long ivory garments, his sister and her husband, and his uncle with his long white hair. And there was someone else too, but he could not make out the person's face. Who was it? He wanted to take a better look, and...
"Would you care to join me, or would you rather stay there all day?"
He jumped up at the exact same words he had spoken nearly a week ago, and turned to see one very calm prince looking back at him, elegantly seated in one of the chairs.
'This is certainly unexpected,' Marzio decided.
"I was rather hoping you'd have lunch with me, seeing that my usual companions are either too busy or too frightened to do so. Oh well..." Ignis made to get up and leave, but the Angelian hurried to stop him.
"No, wait! Your Highness! Please! Stay!"
Before he knew it, he had Ignis' forearm in a tight grip. The Prince's eyes flashed, and Marzio instantly thought he had gone too far and offended him.
But the Demon actually laughed, and used his other hand to pry the officer's fingers from his arm. He sat down again. "I thought you and I had an agreement. You would call me by my first name and I would do the same. Does that still stand?"
"Yes, of course, Your Highn- I mean... Ignis."
He had to force the name past his lips to get it out. It felt like sacrilege. The Demons would indeed be very furious if they ever found out.
But the mild smile that lighted Ignis' face was worth his little effort. "Much better. Lunch, then?"
Marzio did not recognize anything on the platters. So he settled to stare as Ignis loaded his plate with something that looked like roast beef, though it certainly didn't smell like it, and some salad from a large bowl.
That did not go unnoticed. "I thought you might want to try something different for a change. Don't worry, it's all edible."
As Ignis kept smiling, Marzio reticently picked up some of the same meat and took a little piece to his mouth. 'Edible' was an understatement. It smelled strange, agreed. But it was also the most delicious steak he had ever eaten. "What is this?"
"Deer," the Demon replied. "There is plenty of game in this region, for those who know where to look for it."
A very expensive delicacy, in Angelia. Yet he remembered eating mountain deer at a banquet he had attended in Mnemon. Only it had tasted quite different.
"It is all in the way you prepare it," came the answer to his musings, though he did not remember voicing them. "Different ingredients give venison different tastes."
"My compliments to the chef," he managed in between bites.
Ignis chuckled. "That's why I never leave home without him!"
Marzio fully dug into the meal now, not caring what it was anymore. It all tasted very good, and was skilfully prepared. Nothing but the best for the Prince of Demonis.
"Did you enjoy the books I have sent you?" Ignis asked him some time during the second course.
"I never got to thank you for your kindness. They are very interesting. The History proved quite helpful in trying to understand some aspects of your culture."
"I do not believe our people are that different, Marzio. We were the same, long ago, remember?"
That earned Ignis a stare he would not easily forget. "There are many differences, and you know it damn well."
"Arguing with the Prince, are you?" Ignis teased, no authority in his words.
"Is that not why you came?" the Angelian shot back.
Ignis looked away, a faint blush colouring the pale cheeks. He shook his head a little, the loose strands partially hiding his face. A fleeting smile crossed his lips again.
So there was more to this visit than Marzio had initially suspected.
It was the general's turn to rise and circle the table, stopping a few feet away from the prince. Ignis refused to acknowledge his presence, or at least to meet his eyes.
"Why are you really here?" Marzio asked gently.
No answer, just the silence between them. Marzio suspected what was troubling the young prince, but he could not be certain. Nobody seemed to know what was really going on in that stunning head of his.
He caught sight of a delicate hand lying on the table. Hesitantly, he reached out and touched his fingers to the impossibly white flesh. Such paleness... It made his slightly tanned skin look much darker in comparison.
He remembered reading about this. There were some Demon children born with pale skin and red hair; the 'Chosen', they had been called. But in spite of the mentioning, nothing was really revealed about them. They were the 'Chosen of Drako', which the Demons considered their Supreme God, and were always treated with respect and admiration.
Had such 'different' children been born in Angelia, they would have been hunted down as witches.
Seeing that Ignis was not rejecting his touch, he carefully picked up the man's hand and cradled it in his own. He bent down to press his lips on one knuckle. Still nothing. He entwined his fingers with the Demon's, turning the slender hand around to study it more attentively. It was a warrior's hand, with the calluses one got from training with weapons. But the fingers were long, slender and perfectly manicured. He imagined them deftly running over the strings of a harp. Or maybe...
Ignis startled and suddenly turned to face him, wide-eyed. But surely, he could not read minds!
The previously inert hand now gripped his, with the strength Marzio had guessed in the man but had not yet experienced directly. It was like an iron grip, and he could not pull away. Pain crossed his body and he winced.
It only lasted for a brief moment. The Demon let go and extracted his hand from Marzio's, placing it securely in his lap.
They both sighed.
Now the prince faced Marzio again, a wicked smile on his lips. These mood changes were getting very unsettling.
"So then, Marzio... what about dessert?"
Dessert? Food? How had they ended up where they had begun?
The smile turned playful. "Well, there is fruit, and wine... or maybe you would prefer something different?"
'What are you up to, Your Highness?' There was a change in the man's gaze, visible only to those who knew what to look for. Mischief, yes. Other things too. Hope, interest. Desire?
Ignis stood to face him, and now the Angelian had to look up a little in order to maintain eye contact. He had the strange feeling of the prince towering over him, even though he was not that much taller, and considerably thinner than he was.
The slender hands reached out and cupped Marzio's face. The burgundy eyes were fixing him for any sign of emotion. Marzio didn't falter. If this was a test, what would happen if he failed it?
Ignis drew nearer, and he could feel the man's power radiating from his body. But this had nothing to do with physical strength. He remembered there were some Angelian courtiers who considered the Prince of Demonis reigned only in name. The young man before him was his own master, and master of all those around him. Underestimated, yes. But it was like underestimating a desert tiger.
Their bodies were nearly touching now, and the places on his cheeks where the hands still rested were burning. What next?
Petal lips touched his. Still testing him? But what was the correct answer?
Marzio suddenly realized the night in the tent had not been a dream. Just as the kiss the day before had not been one. But could the Angelian get over all that he had been taught? That the Demons were the enemy, that they would destroy everything one held for valuable? Could he abandon himself to his feelings, for once?
'Seleh, help me! Drako, he is your servant. What should I do?'
The silken lips brushing his led him to the answer. It was hard, and it was going to get even harder. But he wanted it, like nothing else he had ever wanted in the thirty years of his life.
He gave up. It suddenly did not matter anymore. If he failed the test he was subjected to, at least he would have a sweet reminder for the days to come.
He circled the Demon's waist with his right arm, and Ignis allowed him to achieve the contact. He wanted to tangle his free hand in the silky hair again, but did not feel like ruining the fine plait, so instead he caressed the soft feathers of the Demon's wings. He parted his lips invitingly, and waited.
He did not have to wait for long.
Things went slower this time, and they savoured each moment, taking in the other's taste. Short fleeting kisses alternated with long deep ones, as they were not pressured to end it any time soon.
The sound of a horn suddenly interrupted them.
"Gods!" the Demon exclaimed, pulling back and trying to untangle himself from Marzio's embrace. "We won't be getting anywhere if they keep interrupting us like this."
Marzio quickly recovered. "Maybe you should order them not to."
"And have them doing it on purpose?" Ignis straightened his clothes, and gave him an apologetic look. "This could be important."
Right then, Owen found it proper to enter the tent. He looked around suspiciously, but there was no sign left of what had just happened between the two.
"Ignis, the emissary you sent to Quiris has just returned, with a missive from the King of Angelia."
Marzio froze. Ignis' eyes shone with a brand new emotion. Anxiousness. "Council. My tent. Ten minutes." And Owen was off again. Then he turned to Marzio. "I hope your monarch was wise enough to accept our terms. I shall send someone to tell you the result."
Marzio nodded and watched the Prince of Demonis leave. Not one second after, Ceni came in. "What was that about?"
"They may be deciding our fate as we speak. Now sit down and tell me if you managed to get anything out of the captain."
"Nothing. Any luck with His Highness?"
"Not a thing. He somehow avoided all my questions and we ended up discussing other matters at hand."
His captain did not seem very comfortable with this topic. "I could guess what those were, but..."
"What?" Marzio asked him, stunned.
"Come now, Marzio. I am not blind. I have seen the way you've been looking at each other."
The general forced himself to laugh. "You are right. You will be better off not guessing anything."
An hour passed, and both Ceni and Marzio had begun to lose their patience. What was taking them so long? Ignis was not the type to linger too much over problems that could be easily solved. And they were talking about a yes or no answer.
Finally, Ceni broke the silence. "For everybody's sake, I hope His Majesty has accepted whatever they asked for."
Marzio laughed bitterly. "I would have given ten years of my life to see the expression on his face when he received Ignis' letter. It must have been priceless."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure Princess Selena will tell you all about it," the captain reassured him. "By the way, since when do you call the Prince of Demonis by name?"
Marzio glared at him. "I do not."
"Well, you just did. Of course, I'm not planning on telling anyone; but still, don't you think it's a little disrespectful?"
So it had slipped. The general was about to make one of his wry remarks when the curtain shifted, and General Neri-Lokh entered the tent. If the questioning looks she received disturbed her, she gave no sign of it. Instead, she looked at them seriously. "Good afternoon, my lords."
"To what do we owe the honour of your presence, your ladyship?" Marzio asked formally. They already knew the reason she was there.
"I believe you were expecting some news. His Highness insisted that I came personally... to break it to you gently."
Both general and captain took a deep breath, preparing themselves for the worst.
She smiled. "The good news is that the King of Angelia has agreed to our demands." They both sighed in relief, but she continued. "General Zain-Reil, the bad news is that you shall have to remain with us for a little longer."
Marzio's eyes widened. "All of us? But I thought you did not have the necessary resources to feed so many people!"
"We do, actually.... but you misunderstood my words. You will have to stay. And the four Lords as well. The rest are free to return to Angelia."
She was very direct in her approach, Marzio noted. He looked at her questioningly. "I fear I do not comprehend. If His Majesty agreed to sign the treaty..."
Tempesta cut him off swiftly. "That he did. But we have no guarantee that he will do so after your release. Therefore, His Highness Prince Sagni-Dor and his General Staff have considered it necessary to retain the most important prisoners until a negotiation party will be sent."
Things were starting to make some sense. "And how long will this be?" Marzio asked her. Spending the winter in Demonis had not initially been part of his plan. And with Kelan and his group too... it was going to be a long season!
She seemed to understand him perfectly. "We are reasonable persons, General. As soon as the delegation reaches Aquiline, you and your four countrymen are free to return to Angelia. And I'm sure that His Highness will do everything within his power to make your stay enjoyable."
Yes, Ignis would probably do that. But what would happen to his soldiers? Who will lead them back home? Who could organize everything?
He turned to Ceni and spoke solemnly, "Looks like you're going to have the command of an army."
The man stared back at him in disbelief. "But General, I cannot..."
"Since we are offered no other choice," Marzio said, looking sharply at Tempesta for lack of a better substitute, "you will have to do so. Thank you for bringing us the news, General Neri-Lokh."
She smiled again. "I was not finished. In order to celebrate this occasion, His Highness has ordered that a banquet be held tonight. You two are invited to join us - along with the Lords of the War Council, of course. They have already been informed of the situation, by the way."
Marzio nodded. They had probably not taken it very nicely. But he was not planning on making a scene. "We thank you for your kindness. Please inform His Highness Prince Sagni-Dor that we shall be honoured to attend."
What a big lie! All he wanted to do is keep as far away from it. Being present at the celebration of your defeat was not a very comforting situation. He could only hope Ignis' presence will make things somewhat easier for him.
Tempesta left them, and they were once again alone with their own thoughts. There were so many things to be decided upon, details concerning the Angelian troops and their return home, and above all the wretched banquet Marzio and Ceni had to participate to that very evening.
And a banquet it was. Outdoors, for the weather was nice. A great table had been set up for the Prince of Demonis and his guests, which meant Marzio would also have to face Lord Kelan that night.
He was not in a particularly good mood, considering that he would be stuck in this foreign land for only the Gods knew how long, and with the lords of the War Council no less. He would also have to part with Ceni, his loyal captain, and abandon what was left of the Angelian Army. He had no doubt they would all return home safely, under the guidance of his Second-in-Command.
But the thought of being blamed for their defeat by King and Court was not a very nice perspective. It would sadden his mother, and what would his uncle say?
"Cheer up, Marzio!" Ceni said, walking beside him, "I will make sure all goes well."
He sighed. "We both know that His Majesty will be furious, and who will get the blame for this defeat."
The captain swore under his breath. "Don't worry. I'll make sure everyone will know what really happened. They will believe me. Most of them, anyway."
'They' were the Court of Angelia. Ceni had many influential friends. But would that make a difference?
The officer slapped his shoulder. "Come on! The important thing is that you do not blame yourself. Besides, you get to stay here with... well, with him! It has a certain appeal, wouldn't you say?"
The thought of being in the presence of Prince Ignis filled Marzio's heart with a secret joy he had never experienced before. Still, he glared at his friend. "You take too much pleasure in embarrassing me on a regular basis. We have merely enjoyed each other's company several times, and that is all. There is nothing between us." His tone wouldn't have convinced a child.
"Yeah, right. Keep on fooling yourself, Marzio!" Ceni pulled him towards the U-shaped table, where Captain Alisi-Feit was waiting for them.
The Dreak wore a green velvet tunic that looked familiar to Marzio. He tried to remember where he had seen it before. He recalled Ignis' similar attire from the day before. It had to be some kind of uniform, though he had not seen it in battle or in any drawn representation.
"There you are! We were beginning to wonder where you ended up." He inspected them closely, nodding in approval. "Nice clothes."
Both Angelians were in high uniform, for an official banquet was not something to attend in every-day clothing. The only difference between them was that Ceni's tunic was a lighter shade of blue, and had less silver lining. The general had also donned his long purple cloak, a clear sign of his position in the Army.
Marzio had already noted the Demons' preference for longer tunics and loose shirts, in opposition to their shorter and tighter clothing. He tried to imagine how they must have looked like, dressed in blue amidst the yellows and reds that made up the Demons' attire. 'An easy target,' he thought, but recalled that no one would dare touch them, since they were officially invited. Besides, except for the four Angelian Lords, everyone was of military formation. That helped relieved his mind a little.
Owen guided them to the right side of the table, where Lord Angus already sat. The other three Lords were seated across of them, and the separating distance was quite welcomed. It seemed Ignis tried to avoid any source of open conflict. Whoever had distributed the places had been given precise orders. Marzio appreciated the consideration for his own choice of company.
The prince had not arrived yet, but it looked like everyone else had. Owen left them to take his place next to Tempesta, at the right of an empty seat that was reserved for the young prince. It was strategically placed on the middle side, yet slightly to the left, next to a very bulky commander whose body probably blocked any sight of Kelan. And with Tempesta at his right, the prince would also have clear view of Marzio and his party. The general blushed furiously, thinking of what had transpired between the two of them so far.
He was in a cheerful company, and the Demons did not seem to be bothered by having their enemies seated at the same table. This was probably also due to the wine carafes, which had been refilled twice by the time Ignis finally made his appearance, wearing the same green outfit Tempesta, Owen and five others did. Marzio came to the obvious conclusion that it was the uniform of the Dreak, and it was confirmed later on by the Demon seated next to him.
Everyone rose to greet the prince, even Kelan, who was smiling maliciously, though Marzio had no idea for what reason. Ignis did not even bother to look at the old man - surveying the Lords was apparently Tempesta's job. Marzio was not in the same situation, for the Demon smiled softly as he fixed his burgundy eyes on the Angelian general.
He motioned for all present to remain silent, and he addressed the congregation cordially.
"My friends, I am very happy to see you gathered here on this joyous occasion. Tonight is a night of celebration. The King of Angelia, our long-time enemy, has finally agreed to a peace treaty between our two lands."
Loud cheers erupted from the two dozen people. Ignis managed to keep a straight face on account of the foreigners present. Whatever his own opinions on the matter were, he kept them to himself.
"I would like to request a favour from you all," the prince continued.
All eyes fixed on him, for the sovereign making a request was not a frequent event. 'Whatever it is, it must be damn important,' Marzio thought.
Maintaining the mask the Angelian was slowly getting used to, Ignis opened his arms in a clear gesture towards the two groups of Angelians. "Here among us are six high-ranked men, who up to this point we have considered our prisoners. Five of them will remain with us until the Angelian delegation arrives for the negotiations. I would like you all to think of them as our friends and honoured guests, and treat them accordingly."
There was power behind the words, and hidden threat. Marzio was not the only one to notice it. Nobody would dare disobey the prince, even if the order was given in the form of an official request. The problem was, were the Demons pleased with this or not?
Another cheer answered, and Marzio sighed in relief. Then Ignis sat down, and the rest followed suite. All the conversations that had been interrupted by his arrival took off where they had remained, and the Demons did not bother to prevent any of the Angelians to take part in them. Only Kelan and his two companions were whispering among themselves, looking carefully behind their shoulders every now and then, up to something, as usual. 'Blasted courtiers!' Marzio decided to leave them be and engaged in conversation with Ceni, Angus and the two officers seated next to them, slightly aware of Ignis' gaze on him every now and then.