StarBlade

Author's note: The next few chapters just try to span most of Van's childhood. They're all labled under the same chapter though. Hope that doesn't get too confusing.

It's really far AU and I know that. Though I'm not fixing it, because it's needed for the sake of the OC's past. If Hitomi shows up for more than a page in this thing it'll be a miracle.


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Fragments of the past
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Balgus was the first one to the black charger as it stopped before the gate. He recognized the horse, thought he rider was much too small to be the man he knew.

"Let them in. I'll take responsibility." He headed for the gate. /Rean, please let this be the one you sent word about. And please, tell me you're safe./ He thought as the charger stepped through the gates. The rider groaned, starting to fall. The swordsman moved catching them.

Her cloak fell off her brow, exposing pointed ears. There were a few hushed whispers of a demon. He looked at the woman. Her youthful face was marred with a few scratches. Glancing down he saw blood on the tunic she wore. Delicate sandals graced her small feet. /Great, you send us a temple maiden…/ He carefully stood. "Care for the horse. Take to the royal stables. Rest of you move aside." He carried the small form towards the palace. Goau would probably complain about the risk, but if he was right, the Charger was proof he was to repay an old debt. He paused catching a stable hand. "Bring the saddle bags to my rooms unopened."

Reio moaned as she started to wake. She saw a man sitting by the door, dressed in armor. His back was to her. Beside the bed she rested on, was a tray with water and what looked like sweet cakes.

"I wasn't sure what you could eat. Rean always liked the cakes though." The man's voice made her glance at him. "You should have new clothes here in a while. Then I'll lead you to the baths."

"I, who art thou? Where?" She sat up weakly, finding she was still in the long tunic she had found in Rean's pack. The cloak he had given her was lying nearby, as well as her shoes.

"Rean was a friend. You're in Fanelia." The man didn't turn around. "There had to have been a reason he sent you with Kitakaze. That horse would never leave his side. I saw the points, you're elf, so I know you didn't steal the horse."

She felt her mouth go dry and reached for the glass, only to see the marks on her wrists from where the soldiers had bound them. Closing her eyes she shook her head, trying not to think of what had happened to her just a few days before.

"Soldiers, attacked the Elven city… I, I made sure Queen Tarisha and the others were safely to the tunnels that would lead to the mountains. I went back.. The tome…"

"It's safe." He nodded to where it sat on a table. "No one touched you other than to tend to your wounds. And the only one that saw the contents of your bag was me."

She sipped at the water and nodded. "Then, I am in your debt."

"No, I repaid a debt to a friend. Rest, I'll inform the king that you've woken. You're not to leave this room until I return." He glanced at her, eyes showing worry.

"And if someone enters?"

"No one will. You're in my private chambers. I won't be gone long. Rest, you're safe here." He gave a faint smile.

She bit her lip and just nodded. Staying seated on the bed she held the cup with both hands. /Though… He didn't tie me up like that other man did. If, if Kitakaze hadn't found us…/ She hoped Rean's horse was okay. The charger had gotten hurt trying to get her out . She had healed the wounds the best she could. That was part of how the soldiers had gotten the drop on her. She had been too tired to fight back.

Picking up one of the cakes she sniffed it a moment, it smelled like the ones Rean would bring back when he went to visit his mentor.

Nibbling at the treat she thought back on the last few days. Outside the window a horse neighed. Crawling to the window she peeked out, seeing Kitakazi tossing his head back, not letting a young boy try to calm him.

The boy managed to calm the black charger down. Resting against the wall she heard footsteps coming down the hall and grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around herself as the door opened.

The man shook his head at her. "You have my word that no one will harm you. Lady Fanel is sending some of her assistants to come help you. Once you've cleaned up, Lord Fanel wishes to speak with you." She blinked a moment.

"I.. I'm not a prisoner?"

He laughed shaking his head. "I just, didn't want the others to panic. It's not often we see Elfkin here. And since there's hunters after your kind."

She gave a small nod and reached over grabbing the glass again. Sipping at it she set the glass down again. "I should get my things."

Two women stood in the doorway. "Balgus, you didn't tell us she was still in bed." One of them started. "Out with you. We'll prepare her to meet with Lord Fanel." The taller of the two shoved him out the door.

"Hey it's my quarters…" The door closed behind him.

Folken watched the delicate looking girl as she walked into the room, being escorted by Balgus. She was dressed in a simple pale blue dress, her skin was a soft pink, hinting at bad sunburn.

Van was on the floor near his parents. The three year old had a puppy he was playing with.

The woman smiled seeing the little boy, then caught Folken's look. She blushed a little, looking at the floor before stepping closer when Goau summoned her.

"Milord Fanel, I… I know I have no right asking this of you…" He stepped up to her kneeling on one knee. She blinked as he lifted her chin up, making her wince slightly from his touch. Her body was still burning from the sunburn she had gotten riding from the Elven village to the small kingdom.

"I know why you're here. Please, don't kneel, you're an honored guest." Soft eyes looked at her. "You're Lady Reio are you not?"

She gave a small nod. "I… Rean… He, sent me away… I had gone for the book. He knew it wouldn’t be save if I stayed with the other elves…” She bit her lip lightly.

“Book?”

“It’s in my quarters sir. It’s the tome Rean talked about. Right now, the only one that would be able to read it here is Lady Reio.” Balgus said calmly as he stepped forward.

“Would you translate it for us?”

Reio looked into his eyes. He wasn’t showing any anger. Instead, the look shocked her. “I.. I can.”

He nodded.

“Father,” the blue haired boy she had noticed upon entering stepped forward. “She looks like she could use more rest. Allow me to escort her to a room?”