Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 4

"Do you think father is well?" Lee asked as he handed his mother a leaf with cooked meat on it. They had stopped for the night and Lee had killed as small animal with his arrow. He had cleaned it the way Niezon and his father had shown him and he had preserved the skin so that he could show Lendas when he arrived.

"I want to think he is well," Asuka replied as she carefully picked up a piece of meat and bit into it. "You did an excellent job of cooking it."

"Thank you."

"What's wrong?"

"Mother, why aren't I like the others?"

"What do you mean?" Asuka asked as Lee sat down beside her. He placed his arms around his knees and gazed at the fire.

"They make fun of me. Except Ryo, I mean. He treats me differently. Sometimes that is. Most of the time he's stuck with Karu..."

His voice trailed off and Asuka waited for him to finish. He prodded the fire with a stick then leaned back.

"I care for things like plants and I cook. Doesn't that make me odd? None of the others do these things. Also, Ryo can be very cruel at times. Sometimes...it's like he wants to avoid me. There's something wrong with me, isn't there?" Lee asked.

"Lee, you are special and someday the young prince will come to recognize your true beauty, all right?" she asked and tightly embraced her son. Lee smiled and drew away.

"Well, I guess it's time to put the fire out," he said and stood up.

"Wait for a bit, Lee," Kana said and Asuka jumped up.

"What's going on at the castle? How is Lendas?" she asked and Kana looked at Ura, who had just secured the horses.

"Captain, stay with Lee," he said then turned to Asuka. "I need to talk to you alone."

"What happened?" she asked, once they had walked out of Lee's hearing range.

"The king was murdered."

"And Lendas?"

"Lendas was the first one to find Niezon's body. He took it...extremely hard."

There was a moment's silence, then Kana spoke again.

"Lendas...killed himself. When I entered the throne room, I found his body embracing Niezon's and the king's dagger buried deep within his chest. I'm sorry to have to tell you this. Others call me a stone, dead to emotions because I've seen so many die in combat, but it isn't true. The sight that lay before me in the throne room has emotionally wounded me and I will make Xylphara pay for his treason."

"Xylphara? What does he have to do with it?" Asuka asked and Kana turned away.

"Xylphara is on the enemy's side. He helped kill Lendas and Niezon. I will not forgive him for what he's done. But on a different subject, do you know which direction the young prince took?" Kana asked.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know. I do hope he's safe, though."

"Your concern is mutual. I would like to start searching for him but it is too far into the night. Would it be possible to stay with you and Lee until morning? We can get our own food and supplies if that's what worries you."

"It would be nice to have you two stay with us but the two of you aren't going to do anything...private, are you?"

"As in intimacy? I do not believe out here with the way things are, would be the best place to commit such acts," Kana said and glanced at Ura.

"Besides, one of us needs to keep watch in case of trouble," Ura said and Kana glanced at him.

"Would you like to talk later? Perhaps once we're on the road again."

"Perhaps. Can I get a promotion from it?"

"I'm not supposed to take bribes, Captain."

"What are you in charge of, General? You have no army. I'm sorry, sir," Ura said as Kana turned away and wrapped his wings around his body.

Ura recognized the current side of Kana and sighed. Even though he was at least thirty years younger, he had become quite close to Kana. It was true that they were both young as demons go, but they shared a common ground. Ura remembered idolizing the general as a child and he devoted his time outside of classes with Karu, to weapons training in hopes of joining the army when he was of age. He had quickly proved himself as a competent soldier and his accomplishments had caught the eye of Kana. It wasn't exactly a close relationship for there were two majors that were his nighttime advisors, but now that the kingdom was in a state of turmoil, perhaps his relationship would change. He shook himself in shock. He was being extremely selfish to take the king's murder as a good thing.

"Here," Kana said and handed Ura a glass of alcohol. "I had a bit left in my saddle bag from my rounds a few days ago. I thought it might help you."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for earlier, sir. I was thinking selfishly," Ura replied.

"You started thinking realistically. Don't apologize for that. I'd rather have a soldier who was realistic than one that's blinded by his own ignorance. Now, something else was on your mind. What was it?"

"Well sir," Ura said as Kana sat beside him. "I was hoping that aside from the tragic circumstances, we could become closer than we have been."

Kana leaned back and closed his eyes. Ura watched him for a moment then glanced away. Maybe he shouldn't have brought it up so soon after their banishment but he couldn't help it. Kana opened his eyes and glanced at Ura.

"I've been through a lot of things. I have learned not to get too close to my men. There's not telling what will happen," Kana replied.

"But what about majors Izo and Yandel? I know for a fact they were your bed mates," Ura said and Kana sat up.

"It is in our nature to be sexually aggressive. They were only doing as I requested. They got no special favors from me because of it. You see, Ura, I did get close to someone a long time ago and I lost him."

He stood up and spread his wings. He ran his fingers through his braids and began breaking them apart. Ura handed him a comb and Kana glanced at him.

"Thank you. I do wish I could take a bath. That's one of the things I'm going to regret not having," Kana commented.

"You can still have one. We just have to find a freshwater source," Ura said as Kana unbuttoned his shirt. "Would you like me to assist you with your wings? No sense in getting them torn up."

Kana smiled slightly at his comment then glanced at his chest where a scar rested close to his right breast. His own armor could not protect him back then. He shut his eyes tightly t the memory of a battle game gone wrong then jumped slightly when Ura touched his hand.

"Are you going to be okay, sir?" he asked and Kana opened his eyes. He leaned forward and quickly kissed Ura then drew away.

"I'll be fine. Wake me in a few hours and then I'll take over the watch."

He folded his wings around his body and lay down in the grass. Ura watched him for a moment then stood up to begin his watch.

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"What shall we do with the bodies, your highness?" an officer and Levin glanced at him.

"I don't care what you do with Lendas' body but I want the king's skeleton preserved. I may feel like redecorating soon," Levin replied and the officer laughed.

"You gonna make a lamp out of him?"

"Hardly. How is the search for the king's brat going?"

"Not well. The nobles split up into several groups. He could be in any one of them."

"We'll find him. I want the bloodline destroyed."