From: [email protected] Date: Wed Jan 10, 2001 6:33pm Subject: A Silver Feather Ch. 8 ~ It's been a while, but I finally got chapter eight done. Well, here's the chapter my twisted little mind thought up. R&R! Standard disclaimers apply A Silver Feather Carried on the Winds of Fate By: Penybright Chapter Eight It was now a month later, and the big event was scheduled to occur at the end of the week. The entire castle was buzzing with life as servants rushed about preparing for the wedding. Maureyn found herself standing across from Hitomi in a large room. Scattered throughout the room were bolts of cloth leaning against the walls. Even more bots of cloth were drapped over tables cluttered with various types of shears. Shelves of thread, in assorted colors and sizes, lined the room. Other odd bits and pieces were dispersed about the room. Piles of ribbons and lace were heaped on tables along with dozens of pin-cushions and other acoutrements. "Tell me again how you managed to coarse me into this?" Maureyn asked sullenly. "Someone has to be my Maid of Honor," Hitomi replied. "I thought Merle was supposed to fill that position," Maureyn complained. "She was," Hitomi said sadly. "Until she disappeared." "I'm beginning to think I should have gone with her!" "You wouldn't!" Hitomi declared in shock before narrowing her eyes. "No, I wouldn't leave you here alone," Maureyn sighed. "That would be too cruel." She tehn turned her attention to her gown. "Would you look at this! How am I supposed to walk in this thing?" she said indicating her gown. "Consider yourself lucky. At least you don't have an eight foot train!" "I suppose I should consider myself lucky on that point, but I already have enough trouble walking in a regular gown." "You'll manage. We'll both manage. Somehow..." Hitomi looked down at the gown she was dressed in and a dreamy look crossed her face. Maureyn smiled, but that smile quickly faded into a groan. "Oh no, they're back." "It's not so bad, right?" Hitomi asked trying to perk up their spirits. Maureyn merely shook her head. A hoard of maidservants came bustling into the room, surrounding Hitomi and Maureyn. Their incessant, idle chatter began as they worked on the women's gowns. The majority of the maids were working on Hitomi's wedding gown. The gown was made of white velvet with satin trim. Satin cuffs fell gracefully off of Hitomi's shoulders. The cuffs attached to the bodice of the gown, with trails leading from the back. The basic form of the gown was fairly simple, except for the eight foot train. The gown was adorned with swaths of satin and pearl beads. It was absolutely gorgeous. Maureyn's gown was simpler, but not by much. Her gown was a pale green to match Hitomi's eyes. The gown was velvet with beaded adornments. The gown had no sleeves, but a string of beads formed a sort of collar holding the dress up. The train on Maureyn's gown was only four feet long. The gown had an empire waist which was accentuated by a green ribbon that ran around the waist, and two trails that flowed to the ground. Maureyn looked down at her dress, then up at Hitomi. Hitomi shrugged and rolled her eyes. The two women suffered their torment in silence. Hitomi for the man she loved, and Maureyn for the brother she adored. "The things you do for the people you love," Maureyn mumbled under her breath. With another hearty sigh, she smiled encouragingly at Hitomi, who's smile was wavering. Hitomi gave her a halfhearted smile back. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It was about half an hour later when there was a knock at the door. The large, oak panel door swung ponderously open to reveal Van. He stepped cautiously into the room, and stopped dead. His mouth hung agape as he stared wonderingly at Hitomi. He stuttered something indecipherable, gasping in awe. Hitomi giggled at her flabbergasted fianc�. "You like it then?" she smiled. "I'd say so," commented Maureyn. "He's going to start drooling if he doesn't shut his mouth!" she said jokingly. Van glanced at his sister in annoyance. "Like you're any better around Drake," he retorted. "Drake is a friend, nothing more!" Maureyn shot back. "That must be why you two were dancing so close at your coronation banquet," Van baited. Maureyn began to blush, when lo and behold, who should enter but Drake himself. No sooner had he entered, Drake staggered back several steps. "What was that for?" Drake asked, picking up the bolt of cloth that had been thrown at him. Hitomi and Van erupted into laughter as Maureyn crossed her arms huffily and growled. Drake stood at the door with a comically questioning look on his face. He glanced at the laughing couple, then his gaze fell on Maureyn. She was blushing furiously, her cheeks a rosy tint. 'Wow!' Drake thought to himself before quickly looking away lest his gaze be noticed. Van and Hitomi's laughter began to die down as Maureyn regained her composure. "I guess this isn't a good time. I'll come back later," he said hastily while backing out the door. Drake turned quickly and exited. "Brother, this dress is impossible!" "The dreses are made from traditional paterns..." "How do you expect me to walk in this thing?" Maureyn demanded before he went off into la-la-land again. "What do you mean?" he replied, his brows furrowing. Maureyn grabbed a hold of the back of her gown, gathering up some of the train. "This," she said waving the train in his face. Hitomi snickered at her husband-to-be's confused expression. Suddenly, Van's eyes took on a mischievous glint. Maureyn waited in apprehension for his response. "Why dear sister, it's practice for when you get married to--- " Van was cut off as a bolt of fabric hurled into him. The fabric unraveled trapping him in a tangled mess. "Maureyn!" Van cried in dismay. "Get me out of this!" he demanded, trying to find his way out of the smothering fabric. "Now you know how it feels!" Maureyn laughed, walking over to her trapped brother. She began to help him unravel the material that was wrapped suffocatingly around him. "Thanks," Van said sarcastically. "Don't forget, we have a practice match today," he smiled devilishly. Maureyn groaned, knowing she was going to take a beating. After being disentangled, Van kissed Hitomi on the forehead before leaving. "I guess I'd better go get changed. I should be dressed appropriately for my punishment," Maureyn sighed, trudging out of the room. Hitomi merely smiled. The two of them were quite mischievous. "I can't believe I'm marrying into this family," Hitomi sighed, joking to herself. "Hey, Maureyn, wait up! I'm coming with you!" "Hurry up!" Maureyn shouted back. "I don't have much time, and I don't want to be late. If I'm late, I'll incur even more punishment. A princess should be punctual," she sneered. Today's match was going to be interesting indeed. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Moments later, Hitomi and Maureyn found themselves walking towards the assigned practice grounds. It was basically a bare spot with no grass or trees and racks of weapons scattered about. Hitomi had changed into a much simpler pink gown with cream trimming. Maureyn had traded her gown in for a pair of black trousers and a lavender tunic. Maureyn's long hair had been put in a tight braid, keeping it, mostly, out of her eyes. Her sword was resting comfortably on her hip as she strolled onto the barren ground. There wasn't much to the practice grounds besides a dirt covered area surrounded by a motley assortment of weapons on racks. Across from where Maureyn stood was Van. He smiled when he saw her approach. "You shouldn't have thrown that cloth at me," he warned. "I still think it was worth it!" she shot back. "Maybe it was justified, but I'm still going to get you back for it." "Fine. Can we stop the chatter and get my demise over with?" "As you wish," Van smiled. The two of them never got the chance to lock swords. From out of the blue, an army of guymelefs appeared. One spotted the three of them and began to fly their way, the others following. "Zaibach!" Van exclaimed. "Oh No! It's happening!" Maureyn cried as the images she feared and loathed came to her again. "Run!" she cried, grabbing Van and Hitomi's wrists and pulling them along with her. They had almost reached the palace, when a section of buildings went up in flames. Van yanked his hand away violently, and Maureyn stopped. "Van?" Maureyn asked in concern. "No," he whispered. "I won't let it happen again! It's me they want, and if I go willingly they won't destroy Fanelia." "Van you can't! You know they want to kill you!" Hitomi argued. "I have to go," Van said running towards the approaching guymelefs. Maureyn hesitated a moment, then ran inside the palace. Hitomi was fraught with indecision. She eventually went after Van. Maureyn found the cellars of the palace, and there it was. Just as Van had described it, Escaflowne sat down in the cellars of Fanelia's palace. Maureyn began to second-guess her decision. She firmly reprimanded herself, and stepped forward. What must be... must be. She pulled a drag-energist out of her belt pouch. It was her souvenir from when she had slain the dragon. "Escaflowne requires a blood-pact with its pilot," she muttered. There was a slight intake of breath as Maureyn sliced her thumb. She rubbed some of the blood on the energist and took a deep breath. "I can't turn back now," she whispered before plunging her hand into the stone on Escaflowne's left breast. The stone began to resonate and Maureyn pulled her hand out. Without further hesitation, she leaped into the guymelef. She had people to protect. Van had almost reached the Zaibach troops, when the ground began to shake. He stopped and turned to where the disturbance was coming from. "Van!" Hitomi cried rushing to his side. She turned her attention to where Van was staring, and gasped. "But... how?" "It's Maureyn," he responded in quiet ire.