Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ The Royals of Atlantis ❯ The Gods are on my Side ( Chapter 6 )

Thank you so very much for the reviews everyone. 15 reviews for Chapter 5 gosh I was so shocked. I only just went through them last week and it made me determined to complete this chapter! So finally after editing and editing I finally have this ready for you. I also wanted to have this chapter longer than the others so to have 7 pages of writing is a relief. Who knows, after editing this one last time there may be a bit more? Who knows? …Ok in fact there is ;) I ended up writing 10 pages.

I mainly have been trying to work out the next few chapters. I feel there's no point just plunging into a new chapter clueless. I realised after `Journey' that its nothing but a death wish really :P So the last few weeks I have been planning out events. Hopefully you will have a few surprises in store! On with the chapter cause I'm sure you're eager to read. I can only hope that I get as much great support as the last update. Thank you to all who have reviewed over the past year and emailed me asking for when I will update. It's you lot who keep me going. And look out for the notes at the end of the chapter for Chapter 7's postscript teaser. ;) Enjoy! x

Chapter 6

The Gods are on my Side

Strange how when you're waiting for something to happen time seems to stand still; the world slows and everything around you seems to stop. In such times patience was a mandatory need, yet few seemed to possess such a virtue. And so for the King, sitting thoughtfully in his thrown chair, he had to gather what little of this rare trait he had left and wait for the arrival of his awaited guests. His eyes trailed to the left of where he sat, observing the proud, straightened forms of his advisers; though even though their stature was firm, the Kings irritated stare had all in a cautious state of mind. True their liege was a just and caring man but the current state of affairs had his spirits low, yet filled with a grim determination. The prophecy, renowned throughout the land wasn't seemingly going as it was written…or was it. Only a few people knew of the problems, which had faced Muska for the knowledge of his journey to retrieve the seer had only been divulged to those of the utmost importance.

Finally what he had been anticipating occurred; the room became cold, lighting dimming and all there felt themselves shiver. They were here at last! A slow smile spread across Muska's striking features, seemingly unaware to the shudder, which travelled involuntarily down his spine. His hands rested against the carved wood of the chairs arms, tapping his fingers in eager anticipation. Journeying to Fanelia would take many moons perhaps even colours, as his own country lay so may leagues from the city and since his own country hand never had such need of those monstrosities the rest of Gaea called levi ships; their beliefs on such man made contraptions being that they were only provokers of war, built only to aid destruction, other transportation would have to be utilised. And as the people of Lapusha relied only on natural resources for transport, horses, feet and wings would be the only means to be used.

The chamber continued to darken and from the shadows crept the forms of a group of beings, their body's shrouded in darkness. These were Muska's trusted consorts; those pitiful souls of the destroyed city of Atlantis whom had found neither heaven or hell to comfort them upon their passing. The group gathered here were of the Lapushian family and even before the time when Muska was conceived these beings had been an ever present and important part of his family's history. Their limitations where few and far between; they thrived in shadow and cold, their tendency inclined towards night, when the elements were in their favour. They existed simply with the purpose of aiding the ruler of this county, Muska, whenever the need arose; just as they had done with his father, and father's father. And now such aid was sorely needed!

The possibility of Muska or any of his men infiltrating Fanelia, let alone its castle was slim, ever since the great war all countries in the alliance had strengthened their military and though new people journeyed to this now profitable kingdom, all newcomers were recognised for just that and friendly caution was always applied. The castle was vast, rebuilt back to its former glory, yet on a grander scale, towering over the small homes and taverns in its main city and boarders. Grudgingly Muska had to admit that King Van, regardless of his age and lack of experience had created a great empire and his strong ties to both Asturia and Freid meant that any actions against Van would be costly to Muska's own country. Not that the thought of war was even a possibility. His family had always been strong and influential pacifists, as too was his country's people and for the many generations, which had passed, this choice of living had been very successful. The dragon's nest protected his people from the ravages of war and so all his people had known was peace and that was how he intended things to stay. Instead social etiquette and other more gracious skills were used to occupy time. Fencing was a skill all men were required to learn, though only for the purpose of enjoyment. Scholars, poets and artist thrived in this land, as did musicians, geographers, scientists and historians. Knowledge was Lapusha's power and it excelled at such skills, yet they were not so foolish to believe themselves to equal the gods as their ancestors once had.

Their greatest knowledge was the prophecy! Though in many countries such a thing would be merely classified as a fairy tale or myth, in Muska's kingdom it was fact, legend… the words taught to children from the day they were born. Mothers would sooth their cries with the tale, the calm reassurance in the tone of their mother's belief in the prophecy easing the child's worries.

Absentmindedly Muska's mind drifted to the prophecy, or more precisely, the most important catalyst of the prophecy…Hitomi...the name of the seer who tormented him so. Even now, regardless to the fact that his consorts had arrived she was the only thing on his thoughts; god how she plagued his mind so! She was his; she always had been his! His claim to her was as old as the mystic moon, hanging in the night's sky. And so why, if this was so, had she gone to the arms of another, to Van? His eyebrow flickered in irritation and confusion. She was his and he intended to go to the greatest extremes to achieve it. He fingered the circular pendant hanging around his neck, a habit used to calm his mind. His whole life had been spent preparing him for his duties as King and the joining of himself and the descendant of the Seraphi family. This was all he had known…longed for. This was his destiny and he welcomed it. Yet this longing was not for the gain of the power it held. Over the years he had come to believe truly that this was his fate and that this joining was to be built and maintained with love. Watching her the past two years, observing her triumphs, failures, character and emotions; after all this he had actually fallen for her. Perhaps he was being foolish, thinking that she would immediately reciprocate his emotions yet he was positive that given time he could earn and gain her love. Only, that is, if he could part her from Van. He was the element, which was keeping them apart.

From his pocket he produced a spherical bauble the size of his palm. A beautiful piece of craftsmanship, the metal object shining in the stifled lighting of the room, showing off the embossed locked wings and opal held in its centre; the emblem of his country, Lapushia. He ran a finger over the gem only once before glancing up sharply and threw it into the air. It jingled merrily as it travelled, the chimes inside it clinging together as it travelled swiftly into the awaiting hands of one of the shadows.

"Take it to her. Only you have the ability to infiltrate the castle unseen. Give it to her with my regards, but let none see you or the gift. It is for her eyes only." The form nodded, bowing its form gently in respect before turning, its companions following suit shortly after, merging back into the shadows where they belonged.

Muska relaxed back into his thrown, a gently smile playing upon his lips as he raised a hand to run it across them. He could still feel her against them, like the gently feel of a roses petal against the skin, he could still taste her sweet like honey and jasmine, and it incensed him beyond words. He would feel that again soon for surely the gods were on his side and would have her returned to him soon!

His advisers approached him slowly, their graceful wings hanging elegantly behind their backs, rustling gently with each step, their intent clear. Yes there were things to be done. The running of his country could be halted for man, or woman. Documents were to be written, read and signed, people to greet and host, yet whatever he did he knew that his mind would be on the one person he could not reach, for now. Lost in thoughts consumed by the verdant eyes of his Hitomi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~< /div>