Two sides of the same coin
[Meeting Allen/Ellen]
Edited by PN
Finally, the three of them (Alex, Andrew, Ashila) have made to a city. It has been days since they last saw anyone, other than themselves, and they could all use some nice food and warm beds. Ashila's cooking is good, but one can only have so much of the same food. Even Ashila has had enough of it, and is trying to find any kind of fruit to supplement the meals. Alex and Ashila rush into the city with Andrew following closely behind.
In the streets they sell some of the items they have; meat, parts, and other items. Now with somewhat heavier pockets and lighter baggage, they go about getting some food and finding an inn for the night. The dinner has Alex and Ashila jumping for joy and although Andrew can only watch, he too is happy to see his friends are having a good time. Ashila, being the way he is, wolfs down his food before Alex has a chance to taste all the dishes, a deed that Alex will not let him forget anytime soon. After dinner, the three of them look around town for an inn, but being dirty and poor looking does not help. It is getting late, but they still have not found a place to stay for the night.
It is almost midnight and the town is much quieter as the three of them wander around. As they turn in to a side street, they hear fast approaching footsteps. Someone is being chased and they are heading toward them fast. They look around, trying to see what is happening, when someone makes a sharp turn into the street and slams into Ashila. Ashila falls over and takes the person along with him. For a split second, Ashila gets a good look at the person: short hair, sharp eyes, and very alert. Before Ashila can say anything, a cold blade is already at his throat. The slim body is tense and shaking from the ordeal.
"....?" Ashila is confused. Alex wants to help, but Andrew stops him, concerned with Ashila's well being.
At this very moment, a group of people in black cloaks runs at them; the leading one jumping up and aiming for the person on top of Ashila.
Ashila grabs the blade in the boy's hand with his left hand, gets a hold of his body with his right hand and rolls both of them away from the attacker; sparks flying as the weapon hits the ground. Andrew and Alex block the rest of the group from reaching the boy and Ashila.
"Ashila?!" Alex shouts, to check on his friend.
"I can handle it!" Ashila rolls away from another attack.
As the leader attacks again, Ashila hides the boy behind him and forms a blade on his right hand, standing between the attacker and the boy. The boy watches as blood drips from Ashila's left hand. "Don't be hasty. I am sure there is nothing we cannot settle peacefully." Though Ashila is talking of peace, everyone can tell he is not letting go of this fight.
"Get out of my way!" the shadow hissed.
"Come on, I am sure this little guy did not do anything that is worth dying for."
"Stop wasting my time!" the shadow approached again with deadly intentions.
[fight: Ashila, Andrew, Alex v.s. shadow. At the end of fight..]
"Step away!" a shout comes from the boy, and the three jump back. The ground forms into spikes that kill the shadows as they rise.
They look toward the boy, who is sitting down on the ground, leaning on the wall with a pattern draw on the ground in front of them, where his hands rested. He is drained and breathing heavily "..Thanks.. you did not have to help.."
"How could I let those jerks hurt someone this pretty?" Ashila smiles at the boy.
Alex looks at Ashila with a strange expression, ".. I did not know that you liked boys.."
"..? Huh? How did you get that idea? " Ashila asks, confused.
"Alex, that person is female." Andrew stepped in.
"What? I thought.. oops. My bad." Alex is somewhat embarrassed.
"I'd suggest that you address me as Prince Allen in public." The girl demands, "I am sorry, but I cannot let my identity be exposed. It is critical that you do not tell anyone that I am a girl. Is that clear?" She looks everyone in their eyes as she says this.
".. is that how you say thanks to the people who have just saved your life?" Ashila complains.
".. no.. sorry." She pauses a little, "but I have a duty to perform. Therefore, I do demand that you at least agree to keep this secret.. As for saving my life, I thank you with most profound gratitude. You have saved this country as well. Please let me offer you a place to rest for the night, as well as proper clothing." The girl spoke with the authority and grace of royalty, "this way, please."
"That girl sounds more like a leader to me than you do, Alex." Ashila joked.
"Prince Allen!" the girl demands.
"Ok, ok.. Prince Allen!" Ashila said, jokingly.
"I am assuming that you have a good reason to demand us of as such." Alex looks back at the girl, speaking thoughtfully.
"Yes."
"Well, then I will keep the secret. And I believe Andrew will too. As for Ashila.. I cannot tell you for sure."
"What? What does that mean?!" Ashila shouts back at Alex.
"I am just telling the truth." Alex replies, smirking at Ashila.
"..Grrr.."
"Alright children, I think we need to get moving. I, for one, would prefer to be in some decent clothing." Andrew steps in.
"Who are you calling children?!" for once, Alex and Ashila agree on something, and show their thoughts with the same reply. Having just realized what they did, they are now speechless.
Andrew just smiles and walks after Prince Allen, as she tries hide her laughter. The royal life does not allow personal freedom, especially when she needs to act as a he. But at least, for now, she can relax just a little.
****************************
In the palace, Prince Allen goes through the main hall and heads toward the meeting room. She will not let the suspect get away that easily. The door slams open as the prince charged in, with three strangers tagging behind.
"Prince Allen!?" a slim and vain man exclaims in half surprise, "I was told that you went through an ordeal on your way back. Are you all right, my beloved Prince?"
"Stop acting!" Allen shouts, "You ordered your men to kill me!"
"What? Why would I do such a thing?"
"Then explain this." Allen takes out a chain with a pendant of the west court attached to it; the court lead by the man. "I got this off of my attacker."
"That must be an setup, I would not wish for any harm to come to you, my prince. I am sure the queen knows my loyalty to you and your country." The man pleads to the woman sitting at the end of the meeting table.
"That is enough. Allen, you are late for the meeting, and now I will have to brief you on the discussions that have taken place here. As for the event that happened tonight, I will have someone to look into it." The queen stands up, "the meeting is now adjourned." She declares, then headed toward the inter room.
".. He got away again!....." Allen curses under her breath after all others have left the room. She looks upset, and stressed.
"Hey, prince, is there anything we can help with?" Ashila seems to be very concerned about the girl.
"..no, nothing really.." Allen replies halfhearted. Her mind is on something else. "Excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to."
A maiden lead them to a side wing where they are placed in the guest rooms. Ashila sneaks out while no one is around, and plays a little hide and seek with the castle guards. Alex only shakes his head upon finding out that Ashila is nowhere to be found. Andrew is worried, and wants to go look for him. But Alex makes him stay put.
Ashila manages to get to the meeting room where Allen and Queen are.
***
"WHAT?! NOW!?" Allen shouts, apparently very upset.
"Allen, please come down." The Queen tries to talk to her.
"Mother, you know how dangerous it is for him. He is not ready to face all this, especially when that..."
"That is enough. So far he has been extremely kind and helpful with all the tasks that need to be done in this country."
"Helpful!? He has the whole army under his command! Mother! Don't you see that we are in danger here? This country is no longer under our rule, but his!"
"Ellen!? How dare you speak about your uncle that way?!"
"But mother!"
"That is enough, you will accompany me to the mansion tomorrow, and everything will go as I say, is that clear?"
"...Yes, mother."
"Now, give me the bracelet. It is will finally go back to its rightful owner. And you can be the princess you should have been."
".." Ellen takes it off of her hand and gives it to the queen.
"That will be all. Good night."
"Good night, ..mother." Ellen bows and walked out.
***
In the dark halls, she walks and turns to the garden where she can cry alone. She sits by the fountain, and cries silently. Ashila has been following her the whole time, and she has not noticed him.
"You let your guard down." Ashila spoke.
".ah.!" Ellen is on her feet when she hears the words. She wipes her face, and stares at Ashila, "What are you doing here? Have you been following me? What have you heard?"
"Whoa, slow down. I got worried about you when I saw you crying." Ashila carefully placed his words to imply that he did not hear anything, without actually answer her. "What happened?"
"It is not your concern. Its .. just duty." Ellen answers, uneasily. She is not good at lying.
"Alright. I wouldn't ask anymore. But just so you know, boys don't cry under any circumstances."
"I know."
"Hmm, I wonder.." Ashila looks at the flowers in the garden and decides to do something that might make her laugh. So far, he has used his power to make weapons, but he thinks he can use it for something else too. .. well here goes .. Ashila focuses his power on his hands and formed a bouquet of flowers shimming in blue light, but it is only an illusion. He cannot create life with his power, not even flowers. The light formed into the shape of a flower. Just when Ashila is going to show it to Ellen, the light flickers and disappears. Ashila is now very embarrassed epically in front of Ellen.
"..hehe.." Ellen is surprised for a second, but after the flower faded, she saw Ashila's red face, "hahahaha.." Well, Ashila did get her to laugh.