Of Two Kingdoms Ch. 2




Yes, I know they're short but I really wasn't expecting a story like 
this to be very long in the first place. Besides, it's proper to only 
take small bites...^o^

C. Selene Belyea

Disclaimer: Escaflowne is owned by BanDai of which I have no 
affiliation. The characters in this story are not mine with the 
exception of the ones you didn't see in the series...so back off.



Of Two Kingdoms
	Chapter 2

	Mist still hung low in the chilled morning air. The grass had 
strong aromas during this time of the morning and the air was moist 
from dew. The sun just barely peaked over the mountains, slowly warming 
the world as the birds sang to it cheerfully. There was no wind today 
and that told King Van that it would be nice traveling, despite the 
business to take place while on their trip. A week would go by before 
they even reached Palas at the rate they would travel. 
	Van's attendant buckled down the luggage on the carriage he and 
his Chief Advisory would ride in. Denevive and two other samurai were 
to ride their own steeds as escorts. Van stood by the carriage, helping 
the attendant, much to Jadik's chagrin, and watched as his samurai 
approached on their horses.
	"Good morning." Van greeted casually, his face stoic. The three 
samurai bowed their heads respectfully.
	"Good morning, your highness." spoke Denevive in his tenor voice. 
Van regarded him for a few moments, almost as if to make sure that it 
was a good idea to bring the young lad along. Young lad indeed, thought 
Van, when he is my elder by 5 years. As he studied the youth, he had to 
admit that there was something about him that was strange. He was . . . 
handsome, you could say, with his long flowing brown hair down to his 
midsection and sharp almond shaped violet eyes. Van was sometimes 
reminded of Allen when he looked at the young man, although Denevive 
was considerably shorter than the Knight of Heaven. Being about Van's 
height, maybe taller, along with his excellent sword skill and the man 
was lethal. Even though Denevive was always a little too quick to pick 
up a sword, he was a loyal soldier to Fanelia nonetheless.
	The other two samurai were older and wiser than Denevive. Tarmuk 
was dark haired, thin and unshaven. Jermais had lighter hair and more 
muscle to his frame than either of his companions.
	Tarmuk and Jermais saluted their king briskly before taking their 
places on either side of the carriage as protection. Leading them would 
be Denevive. Van entered the carriage grimly. He would have rather been 
on a horse next to his samurai instead of a fancy little box. He took a 
seat across from Jadik and with a crack of a whip from outside, the 
carriage began to move.
	"Don't look so upset, young Van. Things will turn out for the best 
eventually. Although I never did trust King Aston to anything." said 
Jadik. 
	"Neither did I, Jadik. I know something is up that man's sleeve 
and I know I'm not going to like it."
	"Your Majesty, whatever comes up, we should be ready for it. 
Asturia has usually been a peaceful kingdom and is our ally. Even King 
Aston would respect peaceful negotiations. Either way, you are 
protected. You'll always have my counsel as well.
	"Thank you, Jadik." Van tried for a smile but failed, turning his 
attention to the passing scenery to take his mind off of the long 
journey ahead.
	
********************

	Some always regarded court life as incredibly stifling. The musty 
air in the throne room, the heat from all the courtiers that attended 
these meetings on a daily basis; it seemed to have the potential to 
drive any normal person insane. Celena didn't know how Allen did it at 
all. She had tried to associate herself in the court when she first 
returned from her mysterious disappearance. She felt she had to be part 
of what her family once was and being the daughter of nobility and the 
sister of a high ranking knight, the pressure bore down on her. After a 
week of attending the court, she couldn't stand it anymore. Though she 
felt she had disappointed her family's name, she was relieved she 
didn't have to stay one more minute in the stuffy old room with a 
stuffy old king and stuck up nobles.
	Celena supposed she didn't make a good first impression on the 
court ladies at all when she had tried to fit in. Though she looked 
nice in her mother's gown, having none of her own at first, it was 
completely out of style. She had ridiculously short hair, like a boy's, 
and her manner about her was simply unrefined. She could hear all the 
other girls her age snickering at her and whispering to each other as 
she passed. After that day, she ran to her brother and cried about all 
her flaws and how no one would accept her. Allen was very helpful, 
comforting her and patiently listening to all she had to say. He always 
took care of her when he could and she loved him all the more for it. 
She had since grown her hair out though it would take more time than 
just two years for it to grow to the considerable length of her 
brother's hair.
	Early that morning, Celena had heard Allen's voice from outside, 
talking to the attendants that helped prepare his horse for the ride to 
the palace. It had been muffled and she couldn't make out the words but 
she had recognized her name. Probably something about keeping me out of 
trouble, she had thought to herself. She had grinned and quickly put on 
one of her more simple gowns to follow him to the palace without being 
noticed. She wanted to see him persuade that stuffy king herself so she 
followed him on her own horse without being noticed.
	Now she stood among the many court lords and ladies to witness the 
day's news and how the king would deal with it. Celena rolled her eyes, 
remembering again why she hated places like this. She looked towards 
King Aston, slouching in his throne with a smug look on his face, and 
narrowed her eyes menacingly. She heard the story about Allen and King 
Aston and how Allen respected the King only out of necessity. Something 
that Allen did a while ago got him positioned out in the swamp lands 
where he met what is now the crew for his ship Crusade. Upon further 
inquisition, however, he would not elaborate on why he upset the king. 
	The court quieted down and the king began to speak about the 
prosperity of their kingdom. Celena didn't pay attention. She stared 
blanking ahead of her, waiting for something interesting to happen. 
Something exciting, she thought. Suddenly, the door to the throne room 
was opened by a palace guard, letting a young boy enter. The boy bowed 
respectfully to the king and held out a letter to him as he kneeled.
	"Forgive this intrusion, my liege." Said the boy, "But this 
message comes to you from the Merchant Meiden Fassa." King Aston's 
chief advisory left the king's side, flowing blue robes about him as he 
approached the messenger to receive the letter.
	"You are dismissed, boy." the advisory said stiffly as he snatched 
the letter from the boy's hand. The boy stood, bowed and quickly left 
the room.
	I guess this is as interesting as it's going to get, Celena 
thought sourly. She watched as the advisory, a hard and strict looking 
middle aged man, returned to stand beside the throne. 
	"Well, what does it say?" Aston demanded impatiently. The advisory 
whispered to the king's ear when he finished reading the letter. 
Aston's face looked even more smug than before, an idea coming to him 
supposedly. Celena felt like scratching his eyes out. Before she had 
the chance to imagine the old coot scratched to death by her own 
fingernails, he began to speak again. "Fanelia has decided to grace us 
with his presence later this week." He continued on and on about his 
respect for Fanelia but how it is his duty as King to take initiative 
for his people so that they could prosper. Boy, could this man talk, 
thought Celena now desperately searching out her brother among the 
knights that stood on the opposite side of the room.
	". . . War is the only way." the words caught her by surprise. Has 
he gone truly mad? There were murmurs of disapproval in the court. *
Apparently Allen and I aren't the only ones who disagree.*
	From the midst of the knights, Allen stepped forward. Celena gazed 
at him with pride as he knelt before the king and began to speak.
	"With all due respect, your majesty, I and many in this court 
disagree." His head was bowed though he sneaked a glance toward his 
country's ruler, expecting disapproval. There was none and Allen 
continued. "You're country has already suffered much damage from the 
War of Destiny just two years prior. I request from his wise majesty 
King Aston that he reconsider his motions to declare war on our 
peaceful ally."
	"Allen Schezar, Heavenly Knight of Asturia," his voice was 
slightly laced with sarcasm as he spoke, "I take your words into 
consideration. Perhaps you have a point, Sir Allen. Mayhaps it is not 
in the best interest of the kingdom to declare war while we're still 
recovering from the last. In that respect, I will rethink my plans."
	"Your majesty, perhaps negotiations can take place while King 
Fanel is visiting our capital."
	The king immediately objected. "Last time I checked, Sir Allen 
Schezar, you were not among my advisories. You are a Knight Caeli and I 
suggest very strongly that you adhere to that duty. You are nothing but 
a fighter for your country."
	Celena could feel her face warm with anger. Her hands were 
clenched at her sides and she could not bear to keep quiet any longer. 
"He is more than that!" She announced, boldly stepping forward and 
facing the king with determination. More murmurs, louder than before, 
could be heard among the courtiers.
	"Celena!" Allen hissed, looking up at her with mixed emotions. He 
was glad she stood by his side but at the same time he was angry at her 
for her temper. "Kneel." he whispered, "Quickly." 
	The young girl looked around, suddenly realizing what she had just 
done before quickly obeying her brother's command.
	"Who dares to speak beyond permission?" Aston demanded, not 
recognizing the young pale-haired girl kneeling beside the knight. 
	"She is my sister," declared Allen, "Lady Celena Schezar. Please 
forgive her outburst, your majesty."
	Celena glanced at her brother before speaking for herself. "King 
Aston, I must make it clear that my brother is more than what you say 
he is. He is not only a noble fighter for your realm but also a hero to 
your country. He has done nothing but serve you loyally and protect you 
and your people. He deserves recognition . . . Your majesty." She 
managed to say the last through gritted teeth. The room was silent.
	"Perhaps," said King Aston after a moment, "you're right." The 
king chuckled strangely. "Sir Allen deserves recognition. Therefore I 
have decided. No negotiations will take place. No war will be 
declared." There were more murmurs. Celena wanted to scream at them to 
shut up but the king continued. "Instead there will be a dual. It will 
be one of our best fighters against one of Fanelia's best fighters. 
Allen Schezar, you have proven yourself worthy on the battlefield." 
Aston grinned. "You will fight. For recognition." he added 
sarcastically.
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