Fan Fiction ❯ Unreasonable Fate ❯ The Gifts ( Chapter 1 )
Slowly he opened his black eyes. Looking around, he pulled at the chains that bound him to his prison. The metal beamed with a faint purple energy that burned his wrists and ankles, and then faded to a glow.
"Soon," he whispered maliciously "Soon I will be free of these bonds." A cold smile spread across his handsome features. "Then we can play again."
Chapter 1
"Please, My Lady, you must hurry" a girl said to the young lady. She wore a white long-sleeved shirt, a brown vest, brown skirt, stockings, and leather shoes.
"I know, Ana. I'm dressing as fast as I can, with all these Damn buttons." Anna was a young girl of about 16. She had shoulder-length, light-brown hair and hazel-green eyes. Ana laughed merrily at the trouble the Lady was having putting on the noble dress.
"Stop laughing at me, and help me," the lady said crossly. "As you command, Lady Crystal" Anna said, still giggling slightly.
She walked over to Lady Crystal and helped her put on the dress. It was a blue full-length dress that had long-sleeves and a high collar. Along the back the buttons went from the collar to her lower back.
Crystal was a young noblewoman of 15. She had long midnight-black hair that went to her lower back and purplish-blue eyes. Crystal was the only daughter in the Suzaku family. She had two older brothers, Darin and David. Her mother was Lady Jasmine and her father was Lord Damon.
The Suzaku family ruled over the northern lands of Borton. Borton is a large country divided into 5 regions, the North, the South, the East, the West, and the Center. The northern region is ruled by the Suzaku family, the southern region is ruled by the Inago family, the eastern region is ruled by the Ookami family, the western region is ruled by the Tora family, and the center region is ruled by the royal family.
Every 4 years all the families journey to the royal palace and discuss the issues of the country. As it turns out, this is the year that the discussions fell upon.
"Damn dress, Damn discussions, Oh, Damn it all," Crystal muttered sulking. "Lady Crystal" Anna said appalled. "This is not the way a lady should act."
"I would rather be on the fields locked is a dual, then here being dressed like, like a doll!!" She cried out.
"And this is why I didn't want you playing with your older brothers, you have become too wild for me to tame," a lady said as she walked through the door. She had her long black hair pulled into a bun and was wearing a beautiful midnight-blue dress.
"My Lady," Anna said bowing while Lady Jasmine looked at her daughter with a smile. She knew that her daughter was doing all this for her and her husband's image and nothing more, if it didn't matter so much, Crystal would have been long gone.
"But Mother all this formality is all so very boring" Crystal whined goodheartedly.
"I know dear, but remember it's only for a couple of days, try to bear with it and stay out of trouble for me" She asked with pleading eyes.
Crystal sighed, and pulled at her dress, how she so hated wearing a dress. "You know I'm doing this for you. You don't have to ask."
Lady Jasmine smiled widely at Crystal. " I know dear, now remember to be nice to the other ladies, and don't be too out spoken, and don't let the boys upset you."
Crystal interrupted her, "I know Mother, this is the fifth time I have heard this lecture form you, not to mention the times I've heard it from Darin, David, and Father."
"And don't challenge anyone to a dual for honor or something," she went on anyway, "but most of all," She paused as Crystal finished for her.
"Be seen not heard, listen and learn. I know Mother you don't have to worry. I have more discipline now." Crystal said monotonously.
Lady Jasmine's smile became strained. "I must be getting old," she muttered to herself. "I'm sorry Crystal, dear, it's just we need to make a good impression is all."
Crystal rolled her eyes and smiled, genuinely, "I know and that is why I'm going to be on my best behavior. Now we need to pick up the boys or we'll be late."
Lady Jasmine and Crystal turned to leave, but Anna called Crystal back. "I went to the market the other day and this nice old lady sold me a special set." She said to Crystal, who nodded, "And I want you to have it."
Anna pulled out a box and opened it. Inside there were four bracelets, a necklace, a brooch, and a hair bow. Two of the bracelets were made with red beads and on each bracelet there was one small ruby. The other two bracelets were made with green beads and had a small emerald set on each. The necklace was made mostly of a silver chain but set on it was a tear-shaped sapphire. The brooch was made in the shape of a raven. The raven had a black collar with a small amethyst set into it. The hair bow was black, but there was an amber gem set into it, that stood out and seamed to glisten beautifully.
Crystal gasped, but not because of the gift, for she was a lady of the court and had much more jewels and gems that were by far more extravagant and elegant, but the value of the gift from a dear friend.
It must have took years to save enough to buy this, Crystal thought to herself. She looked at Anna and, suddenly, through her arms around her neck. When she finally let go, the smile Anna had could have cracked her face.
"The lady that sold these to me said they help channel magic. The rubies are for fire, the emeralds for earth, the sapphire for water, the amber gem for wind, and the amethyst for the spirit. I know that you use elemental magic so I thought you would really like it. They will help you to advance in your studies." Anna told Crystal.
"Please we need to hurry," Lady Jasmine said impatiently. Looking at both Anna and Crystal.
"Go ahead Mother, I want to put these on" Crystal said as Anna started to pull Crystal's hair back.
Anna braided Crystal's hair into a simple braid and tied it with the hair bow, taking the chain she put the tear around Crystal's neck. Then she took the red bracelets and clipped them to Crystal's right wrist, next she clipped the green bracelets to Crystal's left wrist. Finally she clipped the brooch to the front of the dress right over Crystal's heart.
"There," Anna muttered, stepping back she admired her work, "You look lovely Crystal. It's not the best or the greatest, but it fits you, in my opinion."
"It doesn't have to be, all that matters is that you gave it to me. I love it." Crystal said as she looked at herself in the mirror.
Looking at Anna through the mirror she saw Anna was on the brink of tears. "Oh, don't cry!" Crystal said, quietly, whipping the tears from Anna's eyes.
"But I have a bad feeling," Anna whispered, "There is something bad coming and," she shivered. "I get the feeling that this is going to be the last time I see you"
"Don't be silly, I'm only going to the Banquet," The conversation stopped as realization dawned on both girls.
"Ohhh Hell, I'm going to be late. We'll finish this when I come back, okay." Crystal yelled already half way out the door.
"But," Anna whispered, already knowing her words fell to deft ears, she watched as Crystal ran down the hall and around the corner.
Anna closed the door. Slowly, she walked through the hall and down the stairs. Coming to the servant's corridor she walked into the courtyard next to the stables.
She looked up and shivered again. "No moon" she said in a hushed tone. Looking to the stables she saw that the horses were going wild.
Wonder what the commotion is she thought dully. Watching the horses, she never felt the hilt connect with her neck.
She fell to the ground, limp. A figure departed from the shadows, and collected the body. Making sure no one saw him.
"A pure soul" the figure hissed. "This one ad in the freeing of The Master." The figure's yellow eyes glowed in the darkness and his smile showed fangs. "Master will be happy," he whispered, before disappearing.
* * * * * *
"Hurry, hurry" Crystal huffed, as she ran through the castle's halls. Finally she came to the hall right next to the Ballroom. Looking around franticly she saw her oldest brother Darin.
"Yes" she cried and rushed over to him. "Darin," she cried, he turned and looked around for her. When he spotted her, he briskly walked over to her.
"Hey sis, Mother's looking for you," he said to her as she looked up at him. Darin was about a foot or so taller then Crystal, and had brownish-black hair with stunning gray eyes. He was wearing a blue tunic and black trousers.
"Where's everybody? Why are you here and not David? Is Father angry?" Crystal asked him in a rush.
Gripping her hand, he dragged her to the main door. "Everyone's waiting for you, I'm here looking for you instead of David because Father was afraid he would get lost, and No, Dad's just really, really annoyed."
"Oh, good." Crystal mumbled looking around and hooking her arm with his. "Are we the last to be announced?" She questioned, noticing that no one was around.
"Yes, because you were late," he glared at her causing her to laugh meekly. Turning forward once again they saw their parents and David. Crystal uttered an apology that went unnoticed.
"No time for apologies," Lord Damon interrupted. "We'll be entering in a few moments. David, explain to her how we will be entering."
"Listen up sis, you'll be holding on to Darin and me. They will announce us and then we enter. We walk to the royal family, and you curtsy while we bow. Finally, we are to walk to the right and find Mom and Dad. Got it?" he asked. "Yes" Crystal mumbled and latched onto Darin and David.
"Now introducing Lord Darin heir to the Suzaku estates, Lord David, and Lady Crystal." A voice boomed, as the sibling walked forward, David asked "Ready?" "Never" she whispered as the doors opened.