Unexpected Arrangements ~ Chapter V, Part 2

[Andrea]

<b>Chapter V</b>
<i>Part 1</i>


I could not believe my ears. I could?ve been staring in frozen stupefaction for heaven knows how long before I looked back at Lucrezia. But she did not lower her eyes to mine, nor did her features change. She just kept looking at some unknown point at the horizon, right where my freedom laid.

?You are mistaken if you think I will leave my brother in here, Lucrezia.? I stuttered, taking her by the arm and pulling her around to face me. ?And did you not hear what Treize said? He warned you not do anything foolish!?

She smiled at me like a mother smiles at her newborn, a gentle pull of the lips and the softening of the eyes. ?We can?t suffer more than we?ve had already.? Her eyes watered as she put a hand against my cheek. ?Danger dwells beyond these gates, Relena. Beware of the whispers of night, they will deceive you and haunt you.?

She led me to a creaky ladder attached to a portion of the huge wall that surrounded the fortress which led up to a medium-sized watchtower. She whistled softly, and out of nowhere a black stallion walked below us, neighing softly in response. It shone in the moonlight like silver, its eyes curious and bright.

Lucrezia attached a thick robe to one of the watchtower?s columns and slowly helped me down to the ground on the other side of the wall.

?I don?t want to leave, Lucrezia. I can?t leave.? I whispered loud enough for her to hear.

?This is what Milliardo wanted. You can?t stay here? <i>he</i> will kill you.?

I sighed, fighting back bitter tears.

I watched as she reached behind her and then I raised my arms to catch a black cloak she threw. <i>?Dress in a crow?s cloak?</i>, Milliardo had whispered. I slung it over my shoulders and drew the hood over my head.

?Her name is Epyon, trust her instincts.? Lucrezia whispered as she smiled at me softly, pulled the rope back and disappeared from view.


* * * *

We entered what appeared to be a cornfield not long after we passed the last boundary of Kushrenada?s territory, the fortress? lights flickered like fireflies in the night. I pulled the cloak?s hems closer around me, keeping the tall, scratchy leaves at bay.

Epyon refused to move faster, her head pushed forward and low, her ears straight and alert.

I could barely see the sky above, the grass and branches closing in, letting only the most courageous starlight slip through.

And then, Epyon stopped.

She tensed up under me, lowering her head further to the ground, her ears moving as they fought to catch any sound. ? And then I noticed what she was trying to discern.

The night had suddenly grown eerily quiet. The night?s crickets and owls, the sounds of frogs and cicadas disappeared.

And then, her head snapped to the side a fraction of a second before a twig cracked.

I stopped breathing, I could feel my heart beating painfully fast in my chest. I grabbed hold of the reigns, bracing my legs against the horse?s sides seconds before Epyon sprinted to our left, galloping against the wind. I flattened against her back, wounding my arms around her neck as she jumped over a creek and then pushed faster still, her breathing pattern harsh and synchronized.

The thundering of a thousand hooves made me look at our backs, and I gasped out loud as I saw a dozen men approaching fast behind us, their voices rough as they prodded their horses onward. After a few minutes that somehow spanned like days, I felt Epyon stop before she rose on her back hooves and I had to strengthen my hold around her neck not to fall. Then I realized we had been surrounded.

I looked around and everywhere I saw, men and horses stood, preventing our escape. Epyon took steps whenever she saw a gap in between the horses, but as soon as the gaps closed, she stepped back again.

My heart pounded fiercely in my chest, and my breathing pattern almost matched my horse?s. I was surrounded, with no possible way out, and all of a sudden all I could think of was Heero.

I frowned at my own thoughts. What was I doing thinking of that wretched man at a time like this? ? Yet I couldn?t stop as his face, the last time I saw him, became permanent in my head.

I grasped the hood around my head tighter, concealing my features from these men. I straightened my shoulders. ?Horse-lords.? I said out-loud. ?What is it you want with me??

A foreign looking man stepped forward, his leather vest allowing him to somehow mesh with the darkness around him. He was tall and broad, his slanted eyes were fierce and assured and I knew he was the one in charge. He rode on a beautiful horse as black as Epyon but more broad and older.

?We?ve been waiting for you, milady.? He dismounted his horse, and to my surprise bowed his head to me. When he rose back to his feet again, he said, ?We are loyal soldiers to His Majesty, Prince Milliardo. We?ve been wandering these areas outside Kushrenada?s fortress since he was kidnapped.?

?Why haven?t you told my father of this? How long have you known he was not dead and that he was here?? My voice rose in demand; I could not believe my ears. These men who claimed to be ?loyal soldiers? had known all along Milliardo was alive and yet they didn?t tell anyone?

The man bowed his head again. ?We do not trust anyone, milady. Your father, the King, is ill. We do not trust his advisors long enough to tell them of Prince Milliardo?s whereabouts. We no longer know who believes in Sanq and who has betrayed us to Kushrenada.?

I frowned at his words. I knew what he said was true, but what were they going to do; sit and wait? ?And? I believe your words??

?Captain Chang.?

I nodded. ?I believe your words, Captain Chang, but what were you going to do ?wandering around these areas???

?We sent letter to King Winner of Asbath six weeks ago. He and the Prince are very close friends and we all trust his judgment in this matter. Just two nights ago we received his message; he is willing to aid us and has arranged an army to come to Mirith.?

I smiled, for the first time I really felt we had a plan. With Heero and Lord Barton?s army, the latter which was expected to arrive in a week, and now King Winner?s men, we had more than a chance or two to get pass Treize?s walls and save my brother.

But then I frowned as a thought crossed my mind. ?But how did you find out he was kidnapped??

Captain Chang?s voice lowered. ?It was in our last battle against Mirith that we lost sight of Prince Milliardo and Kushrenada. We defeated his forces; the few men who survived, fled. It was just us in the battlefield. We searched through the bodies but we didn?t find his. We knew he was kidnapped, the only question was if he was alive or not. So, I sent one of my soldiers disguised as one of Mirith?s men into the fortress. We hid in these fields and a week later, we got word from our man that Lady Lucrezia had been taken prisoner as well. And one night, not long ago, we saw Epyon. She?s your brother?s horse. She carried a message from Lady Lucrezia.?

I looked at Epyon in surprise. She neighed softly as if understanding the conversation. ?What about your man??

He sighed, shrugging his shoulders. ?We haven?t heard word from him since then. All we know right now is that the Prince is kept in the fortress? catacombs.?

?How did you know it was me just now??

?Lady Lucrezia informed us of her plan in her message. She, as well as us, does not trust in anyone with this information. She wanted to tell you personally that your brother is alive. We had been waiting for you. Our mission is to lead you out of here alive and well.?

Suddenly, every horse raised its head, their ears perked up, and I knew someone approached. It was the same thing Epyon had done seconds before these men appeared. We didn?t have much time.

A clank of steel on steel startled me and I turned around and saw the first of the enemy?s men already locked in a fight with one of Captain Chang?s soldiers. The soldier turned around after repelling his opponent and slapped Epyon on the rear.

?Run, Princess!?

Epyon neighed in surprise before she sprinted forward. I turned around but I couldn?t see anything as the darkness, mist and leaves closed in behind me. All of a sudden I heard the pounding of hooves approach behind me and as Epyon broke into a clearing of grass and rock, I turned around again and my fear closed my throat.

Four men dressed in Kushrenada?s red and silver emblem rode behind me, jerking on their mount?s reigns.

Moonlight reflecting on steel caught my attention, and beyond the four riders I saw Captain Chang approach them close from behind. I couldn?t see well because of the distance and the motion of my horse, all I could see was their bodies drop like flies and roll on the ground as they screamed in surprise.

Only one man was left, but he was too far, completely out of the captain?s range? which meant he was awfully too close to me. I urged Epyon faster, knowing I was straining her too far, knowing there was no possible way she could go faster? when a whistling sound went past me and the groan of the man behind me told me he was dead.

I raised my head and in the distance in front of me I saw <i>him</i>.

I screamed when I saw Heero raise his bow again. ?Captain, watch out!? Dread seized me when he let the arrow go and it whistled past me.

I pulled harshly on Epyon?s reigns and whirled her around just in time to see Captain Chang deflect the arrow with his sword.

<i>To be continued...</i>


AU: This is the only action sequence I've EVER written, and it wasn't THAT action-y. SO, hope you weren't disappointed. Oh, and about the 'moonlight reflecting on steel' part with Wufei... Daggers. That's how he got rid of the three men. That's why Relena then said the 'fourth one was out of range'.

Hope you liked it! Cali Cali Cali!

[Caliborn]

Wow, that was . . . long! And good! And it can't be my turn! *Wide eyes* How'm I supposedto give a decent follow-up to -that-, hmm? *Falls over*

Good job, ne!

[Morrighan]

Damn, girl!!! That was awesome!!! It all makes more sense now!

*dances around* He-he-he.... Now I think they'll both be forced to admit that there's something more going on...

Can't wait to see the next part, Caliborn!

[Andrea]

Thanks, sweetie!

I am anxious for the next chappie... which reminds me that I haven't heard much from Cali nor Mel. Where are you girls?!

*megaglomps Morri*

[Andrea]

I just noticed we've been going at this for over a year.

O.o"

OVER A YEAR!! Ladies! Happy Anniversary!

[Caliborn]

My goodness . . . It -has- been over a year, hasn't it? *glances around* Wow! And we -still- aren't even halfway through! ^_^;;

Happy anniversary!

[Andrea]

I feel this story is only getting started! A YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Oh, goodie

[Kaili Charmer]

You're right, Andrea, it IS a great start for over a year! Great new chapter, I'm waiting to read the next installment! YAY!!!! Wufei and Quatre are coming into the story! :razz:

[Ainohikari]

Cali, hope you get the next part up soon! I can't wait! Abdrea, that was awesome! besides, less action means more for the imagination!

[Andrea]

Kaili, lovie! One of our very few dedicated readers... I was wondering if you had given up on this story. It's so good to know you're still reading and AWAITING the next chapter *glares at Cali*

And Ainohikari, thanks for the review! I'll make sure Cali updates soon!