Fan Fiction ❯ Shielded in Broken Armours ❯ Part 3: Rise of the Phoenix ( Chapter 20 )
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.30.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 177 | Status: Completed
by Alice Montrose
completed July 31, 2004
Chapter Twenty
Spending time in the Mnemon Prison as a "guest" rather than a visitor was not as bad as Marzio had imagined. Then again, his cell was at one of the upper levels, and in a wing reserved to prisoners of noble ranks, so he really didn't have much to complain about at first. True, the cell was smaller than his old room at the castle, and tiny if one compared it to the rooms he'd had at the Aquiline palace. But it had a small fireplace, a wardrobe, a table, comfortable chairs and bed, and even two shelves for his books. The window, though barred, was of relatively normal size, and he had a view of the city's noble quarters. And the food was good enough.
But it was still a cell, and not being able to leave it except twice a week for an hour - when he got to make use of the bathing facilities - soon made him realize that, no matter how nice the cage, he was still a prisoner. Being a soldier for most of his life, he had always appreciated wide expanses of land, and most of all the freedom to travel and explore. After two weeks, even the thought of being stuck in that room made him want to pound at the door and scream to be let out.
Not that he would actually do that. He still had his pride, after all; and he wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction to see him beg to be released. They couldn't delay his trial too much, could they?
His family was suitably outraged about the situation, especially his uncle - who had served under King Raresh's father and thus knew what distinguished a good monarch from a puppet and had sworn to come to Mnemon and pound Kelan's ass if necessary in order to have Marzio released. All this Marzio knew not from Derek Zain-Reil's letter - which had been quite scolding, to tell the truth - but from Ceni, who had thankfully come to visit every week and had kept him updated on what was happening at Court.
Thus Marzio learned that his speech had not been in vain, and that the majority of the Council had been in favour of signing the peace treaty. Also, many people were suitably upset about Marzio's arrest, which was generally viewed as a suppression of a person's freedom of speech, a freedom that the Angelian nobility had always prided itself on.
Not that, two days after his arrest, Marzio had not realized that he was mortified by what he had done. But he had been right, and he would not take his words back and give Kelan the satisfaction. No, he would wait until his trial and use the time he had until then, which was quite a lot with nothing to do all day long, to build a solid defence.
It was on Ceni's third visit that he learned that said trial had been postponed, and that most of the Court would be moving to Quiris for the duration of the peace conference. Having had no word from Ignis - not that he expected to, because the risks of the Demon contacting him were very high - he could only dread the idea of spending at least two months in Mnemon when he would rather get to Quiris as soon as possible.
And then something else happened, something that filled him with dread and made his imprisonment even harder to stomach.
A few hours after Ceni had visited him to let him know he was leaving for Quiris the next morning, he had another visitor. It was not someone he had expected to come, namely because this was a prison and she was not allowed out of the castle without a guard. But there she was, Princess Selena Teh-Kai, looking around with wide blue eyes and finally telling him, while she kept glancing nervously at the door, that she had overheard something she was not supposed to know. That Kelan and some of the other lords, with the help of Lord Lucifer Drak-Mer, high Priest of Demonis, were planning an assassination; and that the target was, predictably, none other than Ignis.
He had trembled with rage then, knowing that there was nothing he could do to stop this, no way to let Ignis know. And he had asked Selena to go to Ceni, and tell him this immediately. But it did not help. Selena and Ceni did not like each other, and she did not trust the younger man. And although she had promised to find a way to let Ignis know abut this, Marzio couldn't help wondering what would happen if she didn't, and if those bastards were successful, and Ignis did not find out, and...
So many possibilities, and so little chances of warning the man he loved about this plot. As weeks passed, days filled with memories and nights with nightmares, Marzio started feeling more and more helpless, and useless.
But when he had almost lost faith, one of the guards became the unknowing carrier of a little ray of hope.
"Letter's here for you, general," the guard said, waving the envelope with a toothless grin.
Marzio put down the book he had been reading and looked at him curiously. "From my family?" he demanded.
"Nay, your friend." The envelope Marzio was given bore the seal of the Mah-Kel family. The general frowned - it had been opened and undoubtedly read before they gave it to him. It was not a practice he approved of, even if he was a prisoner. It also meant he was considered dangerous.
He tried not to show his discontent as he pulled out two paper sheets. As he unfolded them, another one fell in his lap from between the two - a piece of cheap parchment, clumsily folded into an uneven square. He raised a brow and picked it up, not too sure what to make of it.
Ceni's letter was carefully phrased, with allusions to things that could not be directly mentioned but which would have been expected from a friend. Apparently everyone was aware of Captain Mah-Kel's position regarding Marzio's arrest by now, and thus his letter had seemed harmless to whoever was responsible of supervising the prisoners' correspondence. It began,
My dear friend,
I write to you from the city-port of Quiris, my satisfaction of an uneventful trip thus far shadowed only by your most regretful absence. I am not the only one to feel this, as you may well know; alas, many of your acquaintances lament about the sad circumstances that keep you away in these important days.
We have arrived a few days later than predicted, due to the poor state of the country roads this time of the year, but we found everything in good order. His Royal Majesty is safe at his temporary estate - a small castle really, owned by our regretted friend Tanis' family. Security had to be dealt with, but it was nothing beyond our efforts.
The Demon delegation has arrived earlier than expected, shadowing us all with their elegance and pragmatic spirit. Though some of our delegates have not been too happy about it, Prince Sagni-Dor has insisted upon negotiations beginning immediately, not wanting to linger as is the usual tendency in these affairs. He has been rather enthusiastic about getting things on the move as soon as humanly possible, avoiding any public offence of course. At this pace, it will probably pass a little more than a month before the treaty is signed.
His Highness has also publicly expressed his disapproval regarding your arrest the moment it was brought to his attention. Indeed, he has noticed your absence and, when His Royal Majesty informed him of the situation, he did not bother to hide his displeasure and has demanded your immediate release. They seem to be still debating the issue. Let me tell you that, if looks could kill, an illustrious acquaintance of ours would regretfully not be with us any longer.
At any rate, I take it upon myself to keep you informed of the ambience here and the course of things. I leave you now with a note from your trusty personal servant, whose services as you well know I am temporarily employing. He has insisted on sending you this short message.
Good bye, my friend, until fate rejoins us once more.
Lt.-Col. Ceni Mah-Kel
Marzio was a little puzzled at the last few lines. He did not remember his personal servant being particularly fond of him; and besides, the man could barely spell his own name.
Putting aside his friend's letter, he stared at the folded note a little at a loss, the cheap parchment feeling rough under his fingers.
Noticing his hesitation, the guard saw fit to intervene. "An educated man, this servant of yours. Has a fine hand too. A bit silly though - he goes on and on about birds and hounds. Me says you won't be too interested in that story."
Marzio eyed the man suspiciously, wanting to tell him it was none of his business. Then he made up his mind to see what this was about.
It was not at all what he had expected: elegant and frighteningly familiar handwriting, letters small yet highly legible, a lot of information filling such a small note.
He stifled his laughter, praising the author for his astute mind. 'My servant indeed,' he smiled broadly, and set about reading the message eagerly.
Most-esteemed lord,
Although this new assignation has not been the prettiest thus far, and I sometimes have to fight a lack of understanding among the people I am forced to deal with, I take solace at the fact that your imprisonment will doubtlessly be a short one, and that I may finally return into your service. Captain Mah-Kel has proven very indulgent with me, and has agreed to send you my note along with his own letter to you.
It is a rather large household here in Quiris, but I have been able to make a few friends among His Majesty King Teh-Kai's entourage. The only difficult task I have had to deal with lately is recover one of the hunting birds, who has stubbornly refused to let itself captured.
This reminds me of a story the cook has told us yesterday. This Nobleman had captured a rare Phoenix bird and had imprisoned it, letting his hounds guard the cage. But just when all hope seemed lost, a fierce Dragon descended from the skies and set it free.
Farewell, my lord. Rest assured of my undying loyalty; the moment you are free, I shall be the first to rejoice.
Your willing servant to the death
Forgetting where he was for a moment, Marzio clutched the parchment to his heart and flung himself down on the bed, laughing fiercely. Tale of dogs and birds, indeed!
The guard cast him a weary look, not understanding the extent of the thing which had slipped through his fingers. "See sir, I told you - the fellow's a bit slow of mind."
Marzio shrugged, suddenly in the best mood he had experienced since he had left Aquiline. He had known Ignis to be brilliant, but this note had been more than he had expected from his spunky lover.
For the man's benefit, he said. "He's loyal and good at his job. He's like family."
It was not a lie, but half-truth at most; the 'fellow' was family. And he was anything but slow of mind. Anyone with a good knowledge of heraldry could have easily associated the words in capitals to their correspondents; had such a thought occurred to the prison's censor, the message would never have gotten through.
As it was, he praised Seleh and Drako for the guard's stupidity, and chuckled lightly as the man finally went away, still shaking his head in disapproval. Left to his own devices, the general folded the piece of parchment neatly and slipped it inside his tunic, close to his heart. He took out the gold medallion and fingered the thin braid of red hair for the thousandth time. It had become some sort of ritual for him - only now he had the certainty that Ignis had not forgotten him.
Closing his eyes he imagined himself back in the Prince of Demonis' bedroom, buried in cream silk, Ignis' weight familiar against him, warm lips pressed against his. If he tried hard enough, he could even feel the sweet scent of their lovemaking clinging in the air.
It was then that he decided he absolutely had to find a way to get word to the prince. Perhaps a short reply, though it would be a bit odd to answer a servant's note. But if he would have the certainty it would reach its destination, he would risk it. Now more than ever, he was determined to let his beloved know about the threats to his life.
He sighed, chasing away the dark clouds that plagued his thoughts for a few hours; they would return promptly in the evening. Relaxing a little, he imagined himself returning Ignis' kiss fervently.
He did not know whether what woke him up that night was the cold in his room or the feeling of someone watching him. But as he opened his eyes and stood up on the bed, hand reaching for his belt where his sword would have been, Marzio knew for sure something was very wrong.
And it was, indeed. For there was someone else in there, a dark silhouette hiding in the shadows. Watching. Waiting.
Marzio pushed away the covers and stood up, gathering his wings about him. Damn, but it was cold in there! And there had been no need to light a fire for two weeks now, winter arriving faster in Northern Angelia than it did everywhere else in the country. Then he turned to face whoever was in his cell.
Had Kelan perhaps sent an assassin to kill him? Or had King Teh-Kai? Or maybe he was wrong and this was not an assassin at all.
"Who are you?" he asked defiantly. "And what in all hells are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
Strangely, the shadows seemed to shift even as the person moved forward, stepping into the moonlight coming through the window long enough for Marzio to see the almost-too-thing body of a woman with long hair and piercing eyes. Then she shifted back into the shadows, her dress swishing on the floor.
"I am the one in charge of making sure you fulfil your destiny."
Her voice was cold and emotionless, at odds with the words she had spoken. The only features of her shadowed face that Marzio could see clearly were her eyes, of a glowing teal colour.
'Not natural,' he caught himself thinking. 'No mortal being can have eyes like that.'
"What are you?"
The creature laughed. "Ah, so you caught on fast... just as well. But what I am is not relevant either. The thing that matters is not what I am, but what I came here to do."
Marzio took a step forward, drawn to this strange being in spite of himself. He watched her for a few moments, wondering if he was actually dreaming, and if he would wake up in the morning after yet another bad dream.
But none of his previous nightmares had involved strange creatures like this one. In fact, in one way or another they had all involved Ignis and Marzio himself. And this seemed too... odd... to be a dream.
"It is no dream," the creature answered his thoughts. "But it is not reality either. Right now, we are trapped somewhere in between real and imaginary, between dreaming and awake. This is the realm of angels and daimons; this is the limbo."
"And why am I here?"
She stepped forward again, making him draw back involuntarily. He could now make out her face, which was smooth - too smooth - and yet made her look old; as did the white hair. The best way to describe her clothing was to say 'indescribable', not because they were awful or anything but rather because they did not leave any impression at all. What did make an impression were the large wings, a motley black-and-white in colour.
And her eyes, of course. The eyes that burned inside one's soul, a hundred times stronger than Ignis' eyes did.
"You are here because Seleh desires you to be here. Because Drako desires you to be here. And because it is time to open your eyes and make you face your destiny." She did not leave him time for another question, or perhaps a dazed reply. "You are here because you need to be here, and it is not for you to question the will of the gods!"
'Khest! This must be a dream!' Marzio had never been particularly religious, and the fact that he did believe in the divinities was mostly a reminiscence of his childhood, and his mother's teachings.
"Look, I don't know what destiny you're talking about, but I'm sure you have the wrong man. I am not..."
"Yes, you are. The right soul, inside the almost perfect shell. And you shall listen to me, if you want your dear Prince of Demonis to live."
'Oh shit!'
She smiled, but it was a cold smile. "I was sent to make a bargain with you. I have the power to let you out of this prison, and to offer you the means to reach Quiris before it is too late to save him. But there is a price for all this... a price you may not be willing to pay."
"What if I do?"
"Then you get to save the one you love, the treaty will be signed, and there will be a long-lasting peace between Angelia and Demonis."
"And if I don't?"
"Then he dies, you die, and there will be a great war which will destroy both your people."
The general stared at her wide-eyed, not knowing if to believe her or not. "And there is no middle way, no other solution?"
"Not this time, Angelian. The Demon made his choice a long time ago; now it is time for you to make yours."
"But why does it have to be me? Can't anyone else save him? Why don't you tell him..."
She pointed a glossy finger at him and he found himself silenced. "You ask too many questions," she said. "So many questions, for such a simple decision. But I shall answer this one, I believe. Your destinies are linked. One's actions influence the other in more ways than a mortal mind can possibly comprehend. He already walks the path, but you are at a crossroad. If you accept, then your paths shall meet again and he shall be saved. If you do not, then your paths shall separate, and you shall never see him again."
And which path could he possibly choose? Which path, when all he could think about was how to save Ignis' life? Which path, when he had just thrown away his freedom in order to chase someone else's dream of peace?
"Name your price," Marzio stated, meeting her eyes. "Whatever it is, I shall pay it."
"There is no turning back," she warned.
"Name your price!"
He stood still, like hypnotized, as she circled around him, smiling. He felt her hands on his wings, spreading them and caressing the soft feathers. He could not help but shiver at her touch, waiting for a word, a sign. What did she want from him?
There was a sudden flash of pain so intense that his vision went red, and the sensation of falling.
And then there was darkness.
When he woke up, he could feel fresh grass underneath him. He was sprawled on his stomach, head resting on his arms, and he knew for sure he was no longer confined between four walls. Nor was he capable of telling how he had gotten there, or what had happened after he had fainted.
He struggled to sit up and look around him. It was around noon, and he was in a clearing not too far away from Mnemon. A clearing he knew well, for he had come here on countless occasions. His horse was tethered nearby, already saddled, and his weapons lay a few feet away, as did a few bags he recognized as belonging to him as well. Food bag, clothing bag, water skin. A thick cloak good for travelling in early spring.
How had they gotten there? And how had he gotten there? He had no idea, but he would not linger to find out either. He had to leave for Quiris immediately.
It was only when he struggled to sit up, his balance severely impaired, that he found out what price he had paid for his freedom. When he fought for every step, like he had forgotten how his body worked. And then he knew why he would get to Quiris unobserved, why he would not attract any Angelian guard's attention.
For all the others would see now was a man on a horse hurrying down the road, and they would pay no attention.
Because the only living being Angelians chose to completely ignore was a person without wings.