Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Of Two Kingdoms ❯ Chapter 4

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Of Two Kingdoms
Chapter 4

Van woke up early the next morning to watch the sun rise, perched on top of a boulder near their camp. It had become ritual for him since his precious love left his realm. It was comforting for Van to know that they were warmed by the same sun in the mornings, given it's same light throughout the day to eventually watch the great glowing orb sink below the horizon in the evenings. Occasionally he would glance towards the mysterious blue moon Hitomi had called Earth. His emotion had long since stopped surfacing but he still felt the full affect inside his heart. She was always with him and he always with her. "Good morning, Hitomi." He said softly under his breath.
Sitting up in his bedroll, Denevive watched his lord from a distance, smiling sadly for he knew the story of the girl with mysterious powers to see what can not be seen. The girl who had eventually become King Van's true and only love. Understandably so, for all the girls he rejected to be his queen were all so vain, empty headed, and trained only to please their husband. Denevive had heard of Hitomi's steadfast nature and occasional defiance. That was what his young king needed but she had been sent home shortly after the great war. Perhaps, he thought, she will come back someday and be the queen she deserves to be.
Denevive stood, throwing back the covers of his bedroll to reveal his panted legs and threw on his shirt and boots. Tying his long hair back, he made his way over to Van. The sword at his belt made a clacking noise as he walked and he put his hand on the hilt to steady it. Van didn't seem to hear him approaching and continued to watch the sun.
"Good morning, Denevive." Van said from where he sat, still watching the ever rising sun. Denevive stopped in his tracks, feeling a blush warm his face before standing next to his king.
"I didn't think you heard me coming. I beg your forgiveness for disturbing you, your majesty." The samurai sounded truly apologetic, even when Van chuckled a bit under his breath.
"With a sword at your belt, do you truly believe I couldn't hear you approaching me?" Van turned his head to look at his older friend and smiled. Denevive was turning a slight shade of pink but he would never admit to it. He knew he was impulsive but he also knew how far to go when it came to his king. When Denevive said nothing in response, Van continued, "I seem to recall giving you permission to call me by my name. I understand all this about respect to royalty but I'm still not used to it."
"I'm not quite used to calling royalty by their first name . . . Van." Denevive said quietly as if afraid of the consequences. He smiled at his lord when he saw Van was pleased. "It might take some getting used to but I believe I understand your position."
Van smiled sadly. "Then you would be the only one, Denevive. Though I doubt that even you completely understand my position as a ruler, I appreciate your sincerity. Your friendship and teaching has been helpful to me this passed year. I cannot seem to thank you enough."
"Lord Van, please. I am but your humble soldier and glad to be at your service." He made a slight bow towards Van as he spoke. Van grinned when he saw this.
"Denevive," He began in his more commanding voice, "I wish to ride through the night tonight. I believe that would put our sparring on hold, which I do not anticipate. Therefor, I suggest we schedule it earlier. Are you up to some morning exercises?"
"My lord, I would be honored."

Near the camp, on the edge of the clearing, Van and Denevive were deeply engaged in combat practice. Their swords clanked loudly and frightened birds from trees. Van charged with all of his might, sword poised perfectly and he thought he got the better of his companion. Denevive was too quick and ready for him, easily blocking the attack and retaliating with his own. Hilt to hilt, one tried to overpower the other by brute strength and Van decided to use another tactic. As swift as a fox, he side-stepped away from Denevive's offensive stance and attempted to disarm the samurai.
Again, Denevive was ready for this, having moved his sword in a more defensive position. Van saw no openings in the soldier's stance and no weak spots as well. He snarled in frustration but he quickly took advantage of his size to gain speed in his attack. Denevive was careless but ready, his sword poised but his actions weren't fast enough. The young king could have hit his companion if he really wanted to, having been able to strike at Denevive's midsection and badly wounding him. Van smiled.
"You're getting too slow, my friend." Van said, amused. He suddenly felt cold steel at his neck and he heard Denevive chuckling.
"That might be true, Van. But as you can see, while I would have been wounded, you would have been dead." Denevive lowered his sword, chuckling. "You had the right idea."
Van smirked, a bit annoyed that he had been beaten again. "I could strike you down while you stand there and chuckle, you see." He lowered his own sword and looked away. "I thank you for the lessons for today, Denevive. I know I still have a lot to learn."
"You're doing just fine." said the samurai stoically. He knew Van was right. He could have struck him while he gloated over his victory. It was a lesson Denevive still had to learn.
"Again, thank you." Van said after a moment. He put his sword away. "We must prepare for travel. It is already late in the morning."
"Of course, your majesty." The two young men left the cool shade of the trees and entered into the warm sunlit clearing where the rest of their party awaited their return.

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The Schezar estate was one of the more prominent in southern Palas. Not only was there a large mansion but also stables, gardens, ponds, and some of the forest was Schezar land as well. There was even a hanger for the family airship the Crusade, where the ship had been resting for the passed two years. Badly damaged during the War of Destiny, it was moved into storage until it could be repaired. Finding a levistone was no easy task and certainly not cheap.
The crew for the Crusade worked on the parts of the ship that did not require new parts. It would have been up and running had they the spare levistone. Allen, along with his second in command Gaddes, went to several shipyards looking for the part but to no success. Either the stone was too small, too large, or not the right shape and floatation caliber. It had been frustrating for the crew and their commander. Eventually, the crew members left the Schezar estate to look for other jobs in Palas with the promise that they would return if they were needed on the Crusade. Only Gaddes stayed to help his commander on anything that might have needed to be done on their land. At night, he would go to the hanger to check up on the ship and mainly to be alone with his thoughts.
Carrying a lantern, Allen entered the hanger cautiously. There were always unexpected things lying randomly on the ground and he did not wish to trip on any forgotten tools. He entered slowly, looking about him to spot his friend. He saw Gaddes lounging on one of the Crusade's wings.
"Alone with your one true love, I see." said Allen as he approached the wing, looking up at dangling booted feet. Gaddes was upright instantly, straightening himself up.
"Commander, I didn't hear you come in." He hopped down from his perch and faced the knight. He grinned a bit when he heard Allen laugh softly.
"Like I said." Allen answered. "Somehow I knew I would find you here. I thought I should come tell you that I found a levistone for the ship. Soon she'll fly again."
Gaddes tried to contain his excitement. "Commander, that's wonderful news! I should summon the crew."
"I would wait a bit for that. At least until we have received the levistone. I have yet to sign anything for it. When it arrives, then you can summon the crew."
"Yes, sir." Gaddes couldn't help but miss his crew and he wondered if it was obvious on his features. It must have been because Allen put his hand on the man's shoulder, as if to reassure.
"Don't worry. They'll come soon enough." He stopped, intending to change the subject as he turned slightly away from his comrade. "The king of Fanelia will arrive tomorrow evening. I'm sure you couldn't help but hear the news from a few days ago."
"Aye, that I did. How is your sister taking it? You fighting in a Duel can't be easy news for a girl that age."
Allen put a hand to his face and groaned. "She wants to go in my place. And if I don't do something about it, I'm sure she'll go through with her own plans. Stupid girl! Why doesn't she understand?"
"She'd go in your place? Why would she want to do such a silly thing?"
"Because," Allen laughed bitterly, "She feels she needs to protect me. At least she admitted what she did. It makes me aware of what she might do. Gaddes, you'll stay with her, won't you? During the event, that is."
"Of course, commander. I'll be her escort."
Allen smiled a bit. "Thank you, Gaddes."
"Master Allen!" Someone called from outside. It was a young boy, the stable boy named Muri. He ran inside, calling breathlessly, "Master Allen! News has just come from the palace!"
"What? What news?" asked the knight as the boy stumbled towards him.
"The king . . . King Van . . . " He panted, doubling over and leaning his hands on bent knees. "He has arrived."