From:   
Date: Wed Jan 3, 2001 2:02am
Subject: (Fic) Of Two Kingdoms Chapter 5

Of Two Kingdoms
	Chapter 5

	"Muri. Prepare a horse and bring it to the front of the house. I'm 
leaving for the palace." Allen's voice was commanding and it echoed 
through the hanger as he left the two men staring at his retreating 
form. The knight ran to the mannor, the red sash at his waist 
fluttering at his side. "Celena!" He called when he presumed himself 
close enough for anyone to hear him. He was still in the fields but he 
could see light in his sister's window. He ran faster and he saw a 
figure in the window.
	From inside her room, Celena could hear the faint cries of her 
brother and she stood in front of the window to observe. He was 
runnning towards the house and he called again. She opened the window 
and leaned outside. "Allen! What is it? What's happened?" she responded 
as loud as she could. She saw him stop when he entered the gardens, 
looking up at her from where he stood.
	"Van has arrived tonight. I'm riding to the palace. I . . ." his 
sister interrupted him before he could continue, an annoyed look on her 
face and her arms crossed.
	"And I suppose you'll want me to stay behind to mind the house 
while you go and take care of things. Well, I won't stand for it and 
I'm coming with you."
	Allen could have sworn he heard a "hmph" come from her but he was 
too distracted by his own annoyance. "Celena, these matters do not 
involve you. I didn't want you to try and . . ."
	"What?" She demanded with petulance, interrupting him once again. 
"You didn't want me to ruin your plans again. Well, I won't and it 
doesn't matter anyway. I'm still coming with you. Misshel!" She left 
the window as she called for her servant, leaving her brother standing 
out in the gardens. 
	The knight could feel the heat rise in his face and he gritted his 
teeth. The nerve of that girl! Everything he does to protect her and 
she flings herself in harms way! What's the use anymore? He loosened 
his clenched fists, feeling the sweat in his palms and he forced 
himself to walk to the front of the house. Muri was waiting for him 
with the reigns of his horse tight in his grip. "Master Allen. Misshel 
has gone to fetch another horse for Lady Celena. Will she be riding 
with you?" 
	The frown was profusely deep on Allen's face when he answered 
through clenched teeth, "Yes."

**********************
	
	An entourage had led Van's carriage and samurai through the gates 
of the palace. After taking the city by surprise with their early 
arrival, city guards hastily gathered in order to make a proper welcome 
for the king of Fanelia. Although it was exactly what Van had been 
hoping to avoid, he accepted the royal greeting respectfully. After 
all, they were only doing their jobs.
	They were led through the expansive gardens of the palace of 
Asturia, stopping in the front of the grand establishment within a 
circle of loose gravel surrounding a small family of rose bushes. The 
sun had set a little more than an hour ago and the only light that 
shone around them was that of the two moons in a star-speckled sky. 
Notified of their arrival, King Aston's chief advisory along with the 
eldest princess Eries waited for them beside to large golden doors. 
	"Your majesty," began the advisor in an unpleasant tone, "we are 
quite surprised by your sudden arrival, I must admit. Though I do hope 
you realize what an unsuitable hour this is to make your grand 
entrance."
	"See here," said Jadik, coming from behind Van before the young 
king could reply. "His majesty King Van of Fanelia wishes to speak only 
to King Aston of Asturia himself and not his pompous advisor. I suggest 
that if you wish to speak to King Fanel, you will speak to him with 
respect." His older eyes looked upon the middle aged man coldly, his 
wrinkled brow furrowed in his seriousness. "Now be a good lad and see 
to our carriage." He left the man standing there, his mouth open as if 
to say something in objection but for respect of elders could not. 
Jadik watched Van kissing Princess Eries' hand in greeting before 
joining them. 
	"I thank you for letting myself and my men into your country, 
princess." Van said thoughtfully, "I must also apologize for the 
inappropriate hour during which we have come but I'm sure you 
understand the dire matters that must be dealt with."
	"Of course, King Van." stated Eries, an understanding smile 
crossing her lips, "I will tell father that you are here so that you 
may discuss the preperations for the duel to take place."
	"Duel?" Van's face was nothing less of confusion, as for Jadik's 
right behind him.
	"What was that you said, your highness?"
	Eries took a deep breath, leading them inside the foyer of the 
palace. "Everything will be explained in due course, gentleman. Until 
then, please make yourselves at home. Rooms have been prepared for his 
majesty King Fanel and his party."
	"Did I hear something about a duel?" came Denevive's voice from 
outside. He almost sounded excited and quickly entered the palace. "If 
a duel is to be fought, then I'm sure King Van will be ready for 
whatever Asturia has to . . ."
	"There will be no such thing." stated Jadik firmly, "The people of 
Fanelia would never want their own king to fight in such a rediculous 
event. I certainly would not stand for it either. Like Princess Eries 
said, all will be explained in due course. Denevive, you will mind your 
temper and impulsiveness during your stay. Not a word of any of this is 
to be spoken beyond these walls. Now, go make yourself useful, boy."
	The young samurai left the foyer, grumbling as he returned outside 
to help his fellow samurai with the baggage.

******************
	
	Allen rode his stead hard, almost as if to dilberately lose sight 
of his sister riding close behind him. Perhaps it would discourage her 
from following me if I lost her, he thought angrily. He didn't know 
exactly why he had agreed, albeit against his will, to let her come 
along with him. She would only get in the way or alter his true 
intentions to mend the situations.
	"Are you still behind me?" Allen hollared over his shoulder, 
thinking to himself what a rediculous question it must have seemed. 
	"What do you care, Allen?" Celena yelled from behind, kicking her 
horse to push it faster. "It's not like you're trying to lose me. 
Right, brother?" Sarcasm dripped from her very words, her horse panting 
as it began to pass the knight's beast. She managed to grin at his 
gawking face while she took the lead.
	"What do you think you're doing?" If ever the knight felt anger 
towards his sister, it certainly hasn't shown until that moment. He 
growled, his gloved hands painfully tightening on the reigns of his 
horse, hearing the gleeful laughter coming from his disobedient sister 
in front of him. "Slow down and stay behind me. Celena! I won't say it 
again!"
	More laughter came from the girl. She looked over her shoulder and 
shot him a defiant glance with a smile. "Don't worry, brother. I know 
the way." She leaned in low to her horse and tightened her grasp on the 
reigns as she let out a cry, coaxing the creature to quicken his pace. 
Allen was left chasing after her, cursing under his breath for her 
stubbornness. His horse was already getting tired, being older than 
Celena's steed Mystic. Eventually, Allen lost sight of his sister, the 
darkness of the forest not aiding him at all nor the slowing trot of 
his horse.
	"Damn it to the abyss!" Allen cursed, his horse stopping from 
fatigue altogether. He looked down at the animal menacingly, "Muri had 
to give me the old one!" The horse, as if understanding, snorted in 
disapproval and bucked the knight off of his back. The kick sent Allen 
flying through the air, quickly being stopped by a puddle of rain 
water. The less-than-pleasing terrain managed to soften Allen's landing 
but almost instantly seeped his noble clothes in thick layers of mud. 
Face down in the muck, his hair weighed down with it, he slowly stood 
up. He groaned when he examined himself, a sour look shot towards his 
animal companion as he shook off the excess mud. "No carrots for a 
week." He growled.

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

	"Majesty," said Jadik, his voice echoing throughout the King's 
private audience chamber, "I understand your sympathy for your growing 
country. I also understand how important land is to a prosperous 
country such as this to expand. To irrationally declare a threat of war 
to allies is unheard of! Especially when Fanelia is peaceful and has 
done nothing to threaten the people of Asturia."
	"War will not be declared." said Aston expressionlessly, "Instead, 
another battle will take place. A simple act of tradition, nothing 
more. It's been done for thousands of years in place of  all the 
dreadfully boring negotiations. A duel." 
	Van and Jadik sat on the floor in front of a few small steps 
leading up to where King Aston slouched in a wooden throne cushioned in 
velvet. The three Fanelian samurai stood behind the young king and his 
advisor, their swords respectfully in full view.
	Van glared at the king. "And if we do not accept?" All of the 
Fanelians were confused by far. Why in the world would such a large 
kingdom like Asturia want such specific and unusual land?
	A deep, throaty laughter came from the Asturian king, making his 
full round belly bounce. "Then we seize the land since it has no real 
claim."
	"That land," began the young king, "Is sacred land to Fanelia. It 
is the breeding ground for the land dragons that protect our country! 
Without that land, the race of dragons as we know it would diminsh into 
nothing!"
	"Such a pity." Aston said stoically. "Dragons are of no importance 
to Asturia. But as I said, the duel can be fought and whoever wins will 
have the claim on the land."
	"This is foolish!" Roared Van, "Do you not understand anything I 
say? I cannot agree to this."
	Aston sat, a hand to his face as he pondered ideas coming to his 
head. His eyes were closed and made a thoughtful expression on his 
usually smug features. "That could be a problem, young Van. No duel can 
take place unless it is agreed to by your party. That being the case, I 
will be forced to move in my troops to your 'sacred' land and begin 
construction for a new fort village. Our peace treaty will be 
terminated."
	Van sat, his face beaded with sweat as he stared vainly at the 
ground, searching for an answer. He was bewildered, unable to 
comprehend what was happening. He finally shook his head reluctantly, 
"I . . . cannot fight."
	"I will fight for his majesty!" said Denevive robustly.

-------------------

Sorry it took so long, everyone. I've been sick. *cough*. Enjoy.

C. Selene Belyea