Ch 43: The Date is Set

After bumping into each other, Grey and Amy sit down and have a talk. Proceeding to a room set aside by the King for their training, Catherine comes to everyone with an announcement.

            Taking a seat at a table in the cafeteria, nursing a bruised behind, Amy found she was at a loss for words. Grey and Mythra, who had already eaten but had joined them anyways, took seats as well. The three waited for Richter to return from placing their order, a tense silence in the air. Then Grey saw Mythra shoot him a look that he could only imagine meant, “Say something idiot!” Trying to be himself, Grey said, “I wasn’t expecting to see you up and about. I heard you didn’t get much sleep.” Amy stopped fidgeting and looked over at him, and seeing him grinning back at her, she thought in surprise, “It’s almost like nothing happened…” Nervously, she replied, “Um, yeah… I had a nightmare and woke up. Couldn’t sleep at all after that…” Grey looked away as his grin faltered, thinking, “That’s probably my fault as well…” From his reaction Amy realized what he was thinking, and quickly said, “Oh, no I don’t mean… It wasn’t about… about before…” Richter suddenly returned with a tray of food and set it on the table as he said, “Since we’re about the only ones left, our order is up already. I’ll go get the other tray.” Sensing the intensity of the mood, he added, “Everything alright?” Rising quickly, Mythra said, “Yeah everything’s great, couldn’t be better! Why don’t I come help you with that tray?” Richter started to say he didn’t really need help with it, but Mythra was already on her way. As Richter caught up with her, he said, “Did those two have some sort of argument while I’ve been away?” Rolling her eyes, Mythra replied, “Brilliant deduction! For someone who seems like such a smart guy, you’re a real idiot…”

            Left alone at the table, the two found the awkward silence unbearable, and finally Amy said, “Grey, are you still mad at me?” Stunned, Grey said, “What? Of course I’m not mad at you, why would I be?” Blinking in surprise, she quickly said, “What do you mean ‘why’?! Weren’t you just yelling at me last night because I wouldn’t agree to stay behind?! I’ve been so worried, and now that’s all you have to say about it?!” Starting to cry, Amy gripped the material of her jeans and sobbed, “I was scared! I was scared you didn’t want me around anymore!” Grey got out of his chair and walked over to stand beside her. Amy looked up at him as he said, “I would NEVER want that!” Looking away for a moment, then returning his gaze to her with a sad look, Grey said, “I was the one who was scared Amy…” Looking at him in surprise, she thought of what Mythra had said to her the other night. “Even if you’re fine with it, just how do you think he feels about you dying to save his life?” Managing a weak smile, Grey said, “All those things I said, I know I have no right to run your life, but I just didn’t want anything to happen to you. You can understand that, right?” Amy stared down at her hands and said, “I know that…” Then, losing what composure she had left, she looked at him desperately and exclaimed, “Still, I don’t want anything to happen to you either! You can’t make me stay behind! What if it does happen and I’m not there?!” Shaking his head, Grey said, “I won’t let it happen Amy…” Jumping out her chair, Amy started to say, “But-” Interrupting, Grey said, “That’s why I’m not going to try and stop you from coming anymore.” A dumbfounded look on her face, Amy simply uttered, “Eh?” Grinning confidently, Grey said, “I’m not gonna let it happen, so there’s no problem with you coming with us, right?” Slowly a smile crept onto Amy’s face, and she quietly said, “Grey…”

            Leaving Richter to finish his breakfast, Grey and Mythra brought Amy, who had started to fall asleep in her food, back to her room. Then taking the elevator to the 70th floor, they made their way through the halls of the palace, following written directions that Mythra received from Alexander. Coming to a large gray door that looked rather out of place against the regal looking red and gold floors and walls, Mythra said, “Well, I think this is it…” Raising an eyebrow, Grey said, “You think?” Showing him the paper with the directions, she said, “Well he’s never been good at drawing maps as you can see, but if you look at this note at the bottom it says 70th floor, two halls down, you’ll know it when you see it…” With a suppressed laugh, Grey said, “If he could sum it up in an easy to read sentence, why’d he make such an awful map?” Mythra simply shrugged. Opening the door, they stepped into a rather large room, and before they could really look around, they heard Alexander call out to them, “Ah, here they are now. Over here!” Looking over to the left, they saw Alexander waving at them, standing next to a cart into which Scott and Richter were hefting some sort of scientific equipment. Walking over to them, Grey said, “I guess you beat us here, huh Richter? What’s all this?” Scott answered him, saying, “The King gave us this testing lab to use for training, but we have to clear all the stuff out of it first. He said we could just use a cart and wheel it off to a storage room. Nothing important in here apparently…” Looking at the stuff in the cart, Richter said, “I’m no expert, but this technology looks very old. It’s probably obsolete.” As Scott rolled the cart out and Richter started rummaging through a pile of lab equipment, Alexander looked at Grey and said, “At any rate, it looks like both you and Richter are doing better.” Looking at Alexander suspiciously all of the sudden, Mythra said, “Just a minute here! Weren’t you the one insisting he stay in bed?” With a mischievous grin, Alexander said, “I simply changed my mind on the subject. After all, he does look better. As you well know, sometimes staying bedridden can hinder the healing process.” Looking completely unconvinced, Mythra walked over to Alexander and whispered, “Ok, what did he bribe you with?!” Grinning ear to ear, Alexander replied, “One of the best croissants I’ve ever had.” Rolling her eyes and donning on an exasperated look, Mythra exclaimed, “What do you want for my diary, a submarine sandwich?!”

            After a few hours of removing the lab equipment, the room was looking quite empty except for a few tables and chairs. Standing with the others looking around the large room, Grey wiped the sweat from his brow and said, “Even if it is big, we probably won’t be able to spar too seriously. Wouldn’t want to damage the walls or anything…” Crossing his arms in front of him sagely, Richter said, “If this room holds up to regulation, it should be able to withstand quite a lot. I would also assume it’s soundproof.” Summoning her Elementum Orbis, Mythra rubbed her hands together and said, “Let’s test it!” Grabbing hold of her arm, Alexander said, “Don’t be stupid. We can just ask the King when we get the chance. For now let’s focus on training aspects that don’t blow things up.” Letting her Grand Anima Weapon vanish, Mythra muttered, “Fine.” Then with a sly look, she added, “Well, I guess I’ll just train Grey myself. You can work with the others.” Shaking his head, Alexander said, “I have a few things to teach Grey actually.” Speaking up, Grey said, “Actually I have an idea of my own for my training right now.” Looking at him in surprise, Alexander said, “Oh? This is rare. What is it?” Stepping back and summoning his swords, Grey said, “Claus, the assassin from before, told me my Anima Weapon was incomplete. I’ve been wondering why mine are nothing but regular swords.” Alexander furrowed his brow and said, “Hmm, until now I thought they boosted your abilities somehow, like Serius’ glaives. An incomplete Anima Weapon…” With a smug laugh, Mythra said, “But of course.” Alexander turned to look at her questioningly, and in a superior tone she continued, “You honestly didn’t even suspect? Think about how little of his potential he’s tapped into.” Unsure what they were talking about, Scott asked, “What’s an incomplete Anima Weapon?” Thinking about how to explain it for a moment, Mythra said, “You know how your bow fires bolts of lightning? If it were incomplete, you’d probably need a quiver of arrows on you to make any use of it.” Bringing up a good point, Richter chimed in, “I’ve never seen Alexander use his Anima Weapon as anything more than a sword. I can hardly imagine his is incomplete as well.” Mythra went silent, and Alexander simply said, “My Anima Weapon’s power is dangerous to use…” Reading the mood, everyone backed off the subject.

            Just then, Catherine popped into the room. Looking around the cleared out room, she said, “My, you certainly cleaned the place up rather fast.” As she walked up to them, Richter asked, “Have you come to join the training session Catherine?” Shaking her head, she replied, “I’m a bit busy at the moment. Quite frankly, leaving my post has caused me quite a bit of trouble. I only came because father has been worried about who he can trust with messages lately.” Then looking Richter up and down, she added, “Those clothes suit you, but it’s still a bit strange to see the Energist of Prisms in casual clothing.” Laughing in embarrassment, Richter said, “Well, my uniform’s in the wash. Though seeing as I am no longer in the Special Forces, I could just as well wear casual clothes. In fact Matthews, why are you still wearing that beat up thing even though you’ve been back to your home twice?” Startled, Scott just uttered, “Eh?” Turning his eyes to look down at his uniform a moment, he said, “What? It’s not like I don’t wash it often enough.” Showing little interest in Scott’s sense of fashion, Alexander said, “Didn’t you say you had a message for us, Catherine?” Getting back to the matter at hand, Catherine said, “Yes. It’s about the date of Grey’s appeal.” Everyone got serious as she continued, “It didn’t go over all too well that father is harboring you, but they’ve agreed to hear you out in two days.” Somewhat dissatisfied with this development, Alexander said, “That leaves us little time to train Amy. What about the place?” Certain he would like the next answer even less, Catherine replied, “They’re going to hold it here. We’re under explicit instructions that you not leave the city.” With a weak laugh, Alexander said, “This is sounding more and more like they intend to simply arrest us on the spot…” Clenching his fists, Grey exclaimed, “Great, now what?” Gesturing for him to calm down, Catherine said, “Relax. I will not pretend that there is any doubt that they will take precautions to seal off the city should you try to escape, but as per our demands they have already publicly announced giving you a fair hearing. To be honest, everything is going as expected…” Playing the pessimist, Mythra said, “Don’t be so sure. We’re up against both The Guild and Altera Veritas here. They won’t make it easy on us, and I get the feeling this Conwell character is going to be trouble.”

            Within his computer room, Alastor sat in his chair before the computer terminal listening to a breaking news report from TINN, the Teramis International News Network. From the speakers came the voice of the female reporter as she said, “There are no confirmed details on why King Daniel Alucard Walker himself is backing the wanted terrorist and his cohorts, but it is rumored his daughter Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Walker of the Fifth Division Guild Special Forces was saved by the Black Knight during Altera Veritas’ recent attack upon the city of Silens. The soldiers of the Fifth Division still stationed there have refused making a statement on the subject, but strongly hinted…” Pausing the video feed as the intercom buzzed, Alastor pressed a button on it and Giselle’s voice said, “Sir, Mr. Conwell has arrived.” Rising from his chair, Alastor replied, “I’ll be down to the meeting hall shortly.” Before he switched off the intercom, Giselle replied, “Yes sir.” Walking out of the room, the door slid shut behind Alastor and he made his way down a dark hallway, lit by magical blue candles that never go out. Glancing out one of the large windows that lined the right side of the wall, Alastor thought to himself, “An unexpected development, however it could turn in our favor. Whatever the outcome, it won’t have a drastic impact on my plans.” Turning away from the windows to stare down the dark hall as he walked, he thought, “Having convinced Gisette to assist me has brought us far these past few years, but she may soon be more trouble than she’s worth. She’s no fool, sooner or later she will realize the deal I promised her cannot be kept. I have no real interest in salvaging this world. Once the Second Truth is realized, the worlds shall be no more. It all comes down to who betrays the other first…”

Walking down a flight of stairs and making his way through another hallway, he at last arrived at a door, and opening it he stepped into the dimly lit meeting room where Conwell sat looking rather relaxed in the chair at the head of the table. Seeing Alastor, Conwell called out, “Ah, the man of the hour! Our great leader himself! Can I assume this is about the announcements by TINN?” Walking over to stand by him, Alastor said, “Yes. I was just watching them before you arrived.” Laughing, Conwell said, “Oh Alastor, don’t worry yourself about such matters! I assure you, that foolish boy and his comrades have no chance of a pardon! The Council simply announced there would be a fair trial, but as long as we keep the media in the dark, there’s no reason to ACTUALLY give them one.” Strolling over to look out one of the large windows, Alastor said, “I care little for the outcome of this appeal Conwell. It may in fact be time to abandon the Council. Having broken the Seal of Tears, all that remains is the Seal of Memories and the Master Seal. There are still a few issues that need to be addressed, but…” Turning back to look at Conwell, Alastor continued, “We need the Sage of Memories. Now that much more of my power has been restored, I have been planning to retrieve her myself, however I’m busy and this development brings up a window of opportunity for you to show some usefulness.” Quietly laughing, Conwell said, “I see, I see! At last we’re going to step out of the shadows! I can’t wait to see the faces of those insufferable fools when they realize they’ve been our puppets all along.” Turning to look out the window again, Alastor said, “Don’t get ahead of yourself Conwell… Simply retrieve the girl once they’re arrested. Engage the Greyson boy only if necessary. It’s more important that we retrieve the Sage of Memories.” With a wicked grin, Conwell said, “Don’t worry yourself in the slightest Alastor! Just leave it all to me, that boy won’t be any trouble for Altera Veritas’ one and only Puppet Master…”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

Favorite parts:

“Brilliant deduction! For someone who seems like such a smart guy, you’re a real idiot…” - Mythra the Spellweaver.

“If he could sum it up in an easy to read sentence, why’d he make such an awful map?” - Grey.

“Ok, what did he bribe you with?!” - Mythra the Spellweaver.

“Let’s test it!” - Mythra the Spellweaver.

Great chapter! I loved the humor in this one particularly. I also liked how Grey gave Amy the choice of staying or going with them, although I kinda knew he would ;) I love all of your characters, they enrich your story and each one is believable. I like each of them mainly because each person has their own quirks and personality.

No spelling or grammar errors in this chapter, nice to see! I am looking forward to Grey's trial, it promises to be interesting and exciting. I have a feeling the plan's going to go astray...

I'm finally almost done Volume One and I can almost move on to the acclaimed Volume Two! I'm outta time for tonight so I gotta get off for a bit. I also incorporated the changes for Alcingeria you suggested (fixed spelling errors and made more Robert and Macalister and Don moments, thanks for that!)

Cheers!

~Ryan

[KeithKVH]

Thank you for the review. You're indeed getting there, and you'll be at the start of the trial in 3 chapters. The next chapter is also going to introduce a new character that you might find interesting.

I'll read ch 30 of Alcingeria today, glad I could help. Today I find out what's behind the door...