UNDER THE SUN - Chapter Four : Shadows

This is a Sailor Moon fanfiction, standard disclaimer is still and always applied.

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 UNDER THE SUN

Summer was the most awaiting and anticipated season for Golden Kingdom young Ladies. For the King always invite noble maidens to spend the season in the palace in search of bride for the Crown Prince. However, while other Ladies were struggling to win the Prince’s affection, a single maiden stayed obscure. Her eyes set on another, the High Priestess of Golden Kingdom. But how she could convince the Priestess to follow her to her homeland, or - in the worst case - kidnaped her, when the annoying Prince keep his eyes on her and how she keep her façade in front of an overprotective Royal Guard ?

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CHAPTER FOUR

SHADOWS

Alone. Endymion knew it would not be for long, soon his father finish drained every information about his courting progress during the Summer Stay from Zoisite, thus filled Zoisite's mind with commands, his turn was certain. His father would had him stand for hours, ensured that he was not only understand his particular duty to provide the kingdom with heir but also to do it. He used to ignore or even argue every words his father said, depend on his mood. Tired of his defiance, for two previous years his father made sure that his mother was at present as well to support with her urges, pleads and confictions. Endymion barely resisted his mother teary eyes, he always felt guilty knew once again he disappointed her since he failed to find a girl who made him interested.

He need a plan, an excuse to leave the palace and avoid his parents, before Zoisite returned or Jadeite found him. His usual shadow was Jadeite, Zoisite and Nephrite were just occasionally. However, during the Summer Stay Zoisite had the King's order to follow him instead of Jadeite. Indeed, the King always could depend on Zoisite's observation skill and analytical mind, Zoisite was capable to find some little clues from his surroundings, people words and behaviour thus made them into an advantageous information. Endymion hated it when Zoisite’s talent was used against him, his father was using Zoisite to spy on him. He knew Zoisite was loyal to him, but the man was vain in a way, he took a pride how he knew more than others and enjoyed praises, he pleased seeing other’s astonishment of his bright mind, he proved his worthiness through his knowledge. The King simply used that weakness for his benefit.

Nevertheless, he thought that had Zoisite was better than Kunzite, he was glad that the man prefered patrolling in the city to be dragged along to everywhere he strayed. Besides, on Summer Stay, Kunzite was worse than usual when he just presented silently, watching him like a hawk eyeing his prey with somber and tense atmosphere. On Summer Stay, Kunzite was the one who dragged him along, deliberately threw him into the wolfish ladies den and his piercing eyes threatened him if he dared to abandon the girls.

“My Prince.” Zoisite called, causing Endymion cursed inward.

“Zoi …” He grimaced. “How unusual, did the old man too tired to give you more orders ?” He questioned Zoisite brief audience with his father.

“His previous orders are still intact, no need to give another.” Zoisite's smile made Endymion suspicious.

“Really ? How about your extremely detail report about my ‘social life’ ?” Endymion sarcasm did not wipe the smile from Zoisite’s face. “So I guess now the old man requires my presence.” He forced his steps towards the King’s quarter.

“Actually no, Endymion.” Zoisite called him back.

“What do you mean no ?” Endymion turned back, he really suspected the very unusual occurrence.

“The King retires to his chamber, and summons the Queen.”

“Why ?” Endymion demanded. “What did you say to him, Zoi ? I don’t believe that at last  you have pity on me and trick my father with your sly words in order to release me from his interrogation.”

“I said the truth, that your progress was miserable as ever. He slumped, apparently his strength evaporated hearing the bad news, hence he needs your mother to comfort his grief.”

“Blunt, did you ? What caused the change, don’t you use your silver tongue to coat your words with some sweet pretenses ?”

Tired of Endymion accuses, Zoisite defended himself, “I have prior engagement.”

Prior engagement, much more important than the pleasure of reporting my life to my father ? Endymion frowned, but suddenly grinned. “A prior engagement ?” He was amused now. “It’s Lady Ami, right ?”

Just for a second, Zoisite looked clumsy. “Jadeite will be here with you shortly if you excuse me, my Lord. Do I have your permission ?”

“Sure, go ahead.” Endymion laughed. He knew Zoisite’s attraction to the girl, he had that soft eyes whenever Lady Ami was in sight, the same look Jadeite’s had for Rei. He put aside the willing to follow Zoisite, knew a certain girl who most likely be with Lady Ami, he was not going to ruin his amusement since Lady Ami would reveal his identity in front of her friend. He was still grinning when Zoisite left, clueless about his guardian’s betrayal.

♠

“A, a, adorable … ?” The King stuttered, his mouth was gapping like a fish drawn from water. His face was full of disbelief. Nephrite’s reaction was more spectacular when Endymion said the word, he almost choked to death, unable to swallow his bread properly and coughed furiously, his face redden because of so. The second General almost met the death God three days ago, when he advised Endymion to treat Lady Molliene with reverence.

“What do you mean adorable ?” Jadeite quickly pried, his brain was scheming any possibility of teases.

“Don’t you all agree ? She was easy to anger, her face blushes with the teases. If I have a younger sister, I would have been pleased if she acts much like her.”

“A sister, huh ?” Jadeite looked disappointed.

“I am glad the Gods gave you none, I pity the poor girl to have your daily abuse.” Zoisite shook his head.

“Agree …” Nephrite pointed to Zoisite, still catching his breath.

♠

Endymion found his chance when a man was rushing toward Zoisite’s quarter. His father, although gained advantage from Jadeite and Zoisite’s temporary switch post, gave Zoisite’s subordinates headache. Jadeite was not suitable man for the job, he would only last half an hour to sat still behind desk, another half an hour pacing across the room, then dashed out, ranting how possibly Zoisite endured long hours sat in the confined room, read high stacks of reports and bore a hole on the kingdom’s map with his stare. Endymion chuckled, Zoisite enjoyed his job, he was good in tactical strategies and diplomacy matter. Jadeite was the opposite, order him to the battlefield, he would race there and wiped out the enemies clean with passion.

“Marvin !”

“Sire …” The man stopped abruptly and bowed in respect.

There he is … Endymion rejoiced spotting his third General entering the castle from the third tier. “Jadeite !”Jadeite looked up and noticed Endymion’s serious face.

“Come here quickly !”

So he run and met his Prince on the third floor, as Endymion was striding hastily, ordered him to follow in urgency. “It’s a pressing matter, you must see it yourself. Hurry !”

They were heading to the east wing, climbed to the highest tower of the palace. “Here, come and look.” Endymion was entering the upmost chamber of the tower, walked to the opened window. Jadeite followed and took a look at the surrounding from height. “I don’t see any peculiar matter. What is it, Endymion ?” He turned his gaze to the Prince only to catch the door closed with his eyes corner then sound of lock followed after.

“The hell ?!” Jadeite run to the door, shook the knob but it would not open. “Endymion, what's the meaning of this ?!” He shouted. “Endymion !” He shouted louder when there was no answer. “Endymion, open the door ! Prince Endymion !!”

It must have been an hour … two, or maybe three hours, it felt like forever for Jadeite. The first half an hour he rattled the door knob, struck and kicked the sturdy wood in vain, called for anyone in hope someone would hear his shouts. Although he knew nobody would hear him, no one came to the tower by chance. This tower was no longer used, the servants might came only once a month to do the chore. He sweated then, when was the chore schedule anyway ? Was it tomorrow ? Next week ? Surely Endymion would not forget to come for him, right ? Or told someone to get him out of there. In his frustration, Jadeite reached out his left ear, thoughtfully twisting the earring. He was tempted, tempted to pull off the earring and threw it away through the window, never to see it again, never to wear it again, then he could go anywhere, any place he wanted, pursued Endymion and smacked his head to orchestrated a ploy and trapped him in this abandoned tower. The tiny object was his restrain, his punishment, ordered by the King himself to never pull off, so he was under control. It was the price for his freedom, for the King’s mercy, begged by his loyal friends, by Endymion’s insistence that he deserved a chance to atone. He fell on his knees, grabbing his hair in his fist, grimaced as if he was in pain. The scene forever embedded in his memory, the anguish cries haunted him, the burnt smell and the heat … God, he truly wished he had not so reckless back then, he wished he had his mind controlled his act rather than his anger. So he sat there in silent, weep his sins until Nephrite opened the door later after the sunset, his smile disappeared and turned into concern when he saw Jadeite’s agony. “Forget it, Jed … let it go … it was in the past …” Nephrite ruffled his blonde haired comrades like a caring elder brother, smiled and gave the shaken man a tender look that told him everything had been forgiven, that no one blamed him anymore.

♠

No one of the Generals was dare to utter any words when Kunzite called them for a meeting, especially when he was unpleased. Only Endymion who sat at ease and looking at his other Generals's rigid pose as if it was an interesting show. Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoisite were standing erect, side by side in front of Kunzite who had not spoken yet, let the three were waiting in tense anticipation, each wondering who was going to have the first lecture from their leader.

"Prince Endymion, your presence is not necessary required here. I am sure your father already heard about your little escapade at this moment, so I am not going to say anything for you will hear more than enough from the King himself." Kunzite began and Jadeite gulped. He would be the first, he saw his two comrades smirked at him.

"No, it's necessary that I am here. You are going to judge Jadeite for something that was not entirely his fault.”

“I am perfectly informed his absent in Zoisite’s office was Your Highness’ design.” Kunzite stated firmly.

“I took a liberty to handle the matter myself, Jadeite will magistrate Lady Patricia’s case poorly.”

"He may judge harshly but gives the good result. The Lady will pay the tax." Kunzite replied.

Jadeite appreciated Endymion attempt to defend him although he thought Endymion should do anyway because his ploy that gave him a little freedom to roaming the meadow outside the capital where later in the evening Nephrite found him, but he hated that he was considered incapable to do a good judgement. So he interupted, "Lady Patricia did not pay tax since her husband went north, so I called her from her land to answer the matter since she has denied in her letters. It's no secret of Lady Partricia and her sisters' lifestyle, they love to live in luxury. Her husband leaving must released her from any restraint thus she spent more than she can afford. She took the tax in need to mantain her lifestyle. Saphir was an honorable man, it will be a shame when he returns from his duty and finds that he is broke."

Endymion stood and squeezed Jadeite's shoulder. "She will say that, of course. Indeed, she said that as well when asked. You would have intimidated her so she will pay from her private resources then draw more from her people. But Jed, we need to see beyond her lies and find the true motive."

"She lied ?"

"I questioned Sir Achiral whether his Mistress spent too much. He said no and they sent the tax. But it sent to her brother in law, Rubeus, not to capital."

Jadeite enraged, "That was even more atrocious, taxes paid to the King, not to a low ranked noble like Rubeus."

"She did it to protect her sister, Lady Coraline. Rubeus did not dare gave any threat when Saphir was in charge. But Lady Patricia was weak without her husband protection, she did not want her sister suffers because of Rubeus' cruelty. I pity Lady Coraline to marry such a man."

"Women and their stupid romance." Nephrite muttered.

"Have you took decision or give any command ?" Kunzite asked.

"Lady Patricia needs not to pay the tax. After the Summer Stay is over, I am going to visit Rubeus and he shall pay back with interest what he already took from my father, he must compensate Lady Patricia as well and he is to stripped from his tittle if he continues his mistreat to his wife, he is a noble who obliged to set example for his people. Saphir will definitely hear this when he returns and let him decides what to befall upon his subject to exploit his trust."

Kunzite nodded in agreement, his less tense expression was a relief for the other three Generals. That meant they would receive less harsh scolding.

Zoisite saw a better possibility, a good chance to avoid Kunzite's nag entirely and he was not going to let any chance escaped him once he found one.

"It has been a while since Saphir's last report came to my office. Did he send any news recently, Jed ? His last letter was quite disturbing."

"Only one, said he is still in control but his confusion of what happening in north is growing. Nights even longer, days getting darker and the temperature keep dropping. The nomads, strangely keep showing up and larger in number everytime he counted. He said their behaviour was suspicious. He thought he began to hallucinating, seeing strange things among the nomads. I think we need send someone to investigate and assist him, Endymion. Saphir did well, but if the north situation continues this way and we do nothing I'm afraid it becomes worse and someday it is beyond our control." Jadeite was starring Endymion with determination. "I will go with your order."

Endymion was thoughtful. "Indeed that was alarming, but hold it, Jed." He turned to his second General, "Neph, have you consulted the stars about it?"

"Not yet, but I will soon."

"You tell us everything immidiately what the stars told you." Kunzite said. "If you must go, Jed, you go after the Summer Stay." He turned to Endymion, expected approval, "Your Highness ?"

"When the Summer Stay is over." Endymion nodded with a sigh. "At least there was no attack yet, so we can wait meanwhile."

The unhabited northest region, a cold barren land that always covered by thick snow and ice was under Diamond's rule. He met some nomaden people lived in tents there when he was touring his land, the foreigner were seeking refuge so he let them stay. As time went by, their population was increasing and he managed to pacify his own people that the refugees were harmless. His people was convinced with his reasons, easy job to do for him, he was after all  acknowledged as the most trusted ambassador of Golden Kingdom. He has been appointed as an ambassador since young age, the King had recoqnized his traits, he was assertive and confincing, he easily drew people to his side. Diamond proved himself and people who once doubted and cynical about his capability later agreed he earned his achievement through hardwork but still pointed his reputation among Ladies as a flaw. As the most trusted ambassador of Golden Kingdom, Diamond was required to travel a lot. He had a second hand that in charge whenever he left, Rubeus. However after Rubeus married to one of his sisters in law, Lady Patricia wished to him to not be apart from her sister so Diamond let Rubeus stayed on a near land that Saphir gave him to rule. He asked the King a temporary substitute to watch over his region and protect his people from any dispute possibilities from the refugees, someone who was capable to mantain peace but would not threat his sovereign over his own land. His request was granted, the King sent his brother, Saphir.

The sun was setting and Zoisite smiled smugly to his two comrades. So far Kunzite seemed to forget his anger and soon he would call off their meeting. He could demand a reward from Nephrite and Jadeite to save them from Kunzite's wrath. Nephrite scoffed at him while Jadeite was pretending not see. His eyes were twinkling when Kunzite dismissed them without further fuss. Zoisite barely left his spot when Kunzite said, "Zoi, you stay. I still have one thing to speak to you."

Dread suddenly took over his joy while his friends were walking towards the door, not wishing to be in Kunzite's present any longer. Endymion threw him a simphatetic look, Jadeite winked at him from the doorway and Nephrite simply said, "Good luck" with a smile before he closed the door.

♠

Serenity was looking around cautiously, Ami who was trailing looked nervous. She would ensure that no one saw them, either it was the haughty devil or a pack of hungry female hyeenas. Serenity never saw a real hyeena, but when Ami described to her about the creature she soon decided the other girls behaviour was exactly like that animal. Ami giggled but shook her head when Serenity compared the other girls with hyeenas.

Serenity finally experienced the girls' threat a week before. She was not even try to pursue the Prince, but they were not see so, she was accused had an offscreen plan to win the Prince. The Ladies interrogated her, forced her to spill her sly plot that she had behind their back for her own benefit. She should not be selfish and share with them her plan, they should compete fairly. Serenity scoffed inwardly, the Ladies formed factions, each discussed and planned their actions to find the Prince's hideout and how to made him spent his time with them while secure him from other factions. Lady Ann, apparently the leader of the faction that confronted her, suspected her absence from many events that has took place. The girl was beautiful, but her anger was terrific. Although did not scare her, Serenity prefered to avoid useless arguments and lied instead. She used a trick which Harmina, her cousin, taught her. With a teary eyes, she told them that she never wanted to attend the Summer Stay, her parents ordered her to come in hope that she would forget the man they thought unworthy of her hand. So she deliberately missed the events, rebelled to her parents and wished to cherish her own heart. The girls softened, made her reliefed but also guilty. They even gave her advices how to confince her parents to accept her lover. Lady Ann was not so confinced, she demand Serenity to still attend the events once a while to prove that she had no intention to act behind their back.

She did so, but Sophie said she was the one who decided which events Serenity should be at present. She realized then that Sophie chosed events that unattended by the Prince. Although Serenity felt a bit suspicious, she did not question her maid.

"Molliene ... I think we are save." Ami whispered, drew her back from her trance.

"Yes, we are." Serenity nodded. "Let's go, Ami." They entered the wood quietly.

Serenity had spend days waiting in temple garden in hope meeting the High Priestess in vain and she always went alone, but for the previous days Ami has been tagging along. They used to meet at the library, Ami would show her some interesting books and she learned many new things, besides others knowledge that Ami shared. They spent times together there, but when Lord Zoisite made his appearance, Serenity used to leave them alone. However few days ago he just stopped come without any words. Ami spoke her worry but Serenity could not help much when the General seem disappeared from the palace ground. So, although she was glad that she did not have to spend her days waiting alone, she was much happier if Ami did not come because that meant her friend would be with Lord Zoisite. The girl was shy, but could not hide her feelings, she was bothered much with the General’s sudden absent.

"Molliene, do you think I bother him ? Maybe I made him boring." She asked timidly when they sat on mat they spread on thick grasses near a small lake in the temple garden.

Serenity stopped rummaging their lunch basket and reached out for Ami's hand, comforting the poor girl. "Who ? Lord Zoisite ?" She teased and her friend's cheek was tinted with pink hue. "I think when you meet him again, he will say that he miss you terribly."

"But ..."

"He might just too occupied with his duties, he is one of the four Generals, the Prince's guardian, I wonder how much his responsibilities are. He spent his time with you a lot before, I wonder could it be that right now he is slaving himself to finish his neglected job?" Serenity nudged, "Are you sure to come with me ? Maybe right now he is already done and looking for you." She laughed seeing Ami’s face became even redder.

"No. I think you are right. He is busy, really busy ..." Ami smiled shyly and hide her face behind her book, avoiding Serenity’s eyes.

♠

“Come … follow me …”

The girl’s voice echoed among the mist, she could not see clearly but she knew the girl was walking ahead of her, led her through. She looked around and saw nothing, she was surrounded by mist.

“Where am I?” She asked, but no one answer.

She stood still, unmoved and confused. She did not hear anything, it was so silent. “Is anybody here?” Her eyes were searching, her ear was listening but she saw and heard nothing. She began to shivering, she was alone and felt empty.

“This way …” The voice heard on her right and she turned. The mist dissipated slightly, the girl stood a few steps from her, as if waiting for her. Her long dress was whiter than the mist and her hair flowing like a golden river behind her. She approached but the girl quickly turned and walked again. “This way …” The voice was like a whisper among the mist that began to thickening again. But this time she followed without hesitation, though she could only saw the golden blur of the girl’s hair. She walked faster as the golden color began to disappeared, swallowed by the mist.

“Wait … please, wait!” She panicked and lifted her dress, running straight forward. “Please, wait!” She shouted desperately.

“This way … come here …” The voice still ahead of her, so she keep running forward despite the blinding thick mist that surrounded her, suffocated and restrained. The mist became too thick that she felt like walking against current, her legs felt heavy and her steps were slowered.

“Let me go!!” She screamed and forced her legs to keep running. The mist was solidifying, caught her body, pressing. “Let go!” She leaped forward and suddenly she felt like bursting through a bubble, the mist was behind her and she engulfed with bright, warm light.

She was landing on her knees, her hand held her fall. Her breath was heavy, but as she saw her surrounding, she was stunned with awe. The scene before her was too beautiful, the mountains, the rivers, the hills and the sky, the villages and the cities … but what more amazing was she felt so free, so thrilled like the whole world before her was hers, hers to explore to her heart content.

“Now, here you are …” The girl was now stood right by her side, her white dress brushed her arm. She looked up, but what she saw was red canopy of her bed.

“Again …” She mumbled. “I wake up before I can see her face.”

She was sitting on her bed, still recovering from the same dream that came to her for nights. She was long aware that her dreams were foretelling. When same dream repeated, the dream definitely came true. So she was wondering of it’s meaning, of the fate it brought.

A soft knock heard on her door, her chamber maid entered at her answer. The maid reminded her duties for the day, she would perform rite on the morning then met several nobles and some visitors that selected from her list. People submitted requests to the temple, wished to met her, asked her for god's blessing, fortune teller, some advices and such. Only those whose request was considered worthty were granted with opportunity for an audience with her, though they usually had to wait even months. Her day would be busy, so she would not have a chance to meditating and asked the sacred fire about her dreams. She could not help but feeling misserable, her days were dull, full of routinity. There was no excitement and she remembered her dreams, wished that it was coming true soon then she could feel truly free, complete and alive.

♠

The trees in the wood between his palace and the temple were tall and shady, made them a perfect place to hide, his escape from annoying ladies pursuit. For a reason he did not want to share, Zoisite asked Nephrite to switch post. So now he had Nephrite by his side, snored in his napping on a tree branch, high from the ground, protected from prying eyes by luxuriant green leafs. His brunnete guardian might know too well that Endymion had no intention to leave their spot soon and wandering around the palace with a risk to entertain the ever-demanding ladies. Nephrite was usually loud and vigorous when he was in good mood, but when they had nothing to do, Nephrite was a boring companion. I really should bring more food next time, Endymion thought as he threw a chunk of cheese to the sleeping man, at least they keep him awake. The cheese hit Nephrite head, but his thick curl softened the impact so he leaned still on the trunk, undisturbed. Endymion edged from his position, ready to leave Nephrite and teleported to practicing ground, where Zoisite was taxing the new soldiers with his training and the possibility of meeting any lady on such ground was unlikely, but some voices drew his attention.

"She has not made appearance yet, Sophie. What should I do if she never come?"

Endymion recoqnised the voice, although it heard weak and sad instead of loud, angry voice when they were arguing. He looked down, Lady Molliene was walking dejectedly, in the arms of a middle aged woman.

"Don't lose hope, you will meet her later. I will talk to the servants and find something useful. We do this together, it will be fine, my dear." The woman voice was soothing but apparently the girl was inconsolable.

"I hate the endless waiting, Sophie. I hate this uncertainty, won't we be too late? I am afraid that I failed him, I can't lose him, Sophie. I can't ..." She was sobbing, Endymion felt a twist of pain seeing her grief, but another thought disturbed his mind as well.

"We'll made it. Be strong, child. For him, you must stay strong. We will go home, he will be saved, then you will be together again, just like before." The woman wiped the tears. "Now, stop crying, you have a tea party to attend. Don't let those ladies see your tears and think that you are soft, an easy target for their threats."

The girl giggled. "They can't intimidate me. Surely, their treatments are far from pleasant, but I will endure, Sophie. I come here for him, for Andrei."

"That's the spirit. Now come, you must not late." The woman led them toward the palace.

Endymion jumped down as they dissapeared. His eyes never shifted from way where they went and his expression was blank. Him ... There was a man. The little girl come to Summer Stay and impatient to leave for the man. A storm was brewing in his heart, a gloom mixed with anger. He knew right away then, he disliked the man she mentioned already, no matter that he never met him at all.

~***~