From:   LittleSelene@w...
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2000 1:53pm
Subject: (Fic) Of Two Kingdoms Chap. 4


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.

***********************

	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 
dual 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."