Disclaimers: As per usual, I don’t own anything and am not making any money from this.
A little angsty/shounen-ai? My excuse is listening to the “PetShop of Horrors” soundtrack while writing this.
More random conversations…
Author: Narsus
The armies of Crown Prince Arslan had been stationed in the fortress for a few days now and were enjoying a small respite from the constant battles with the Lucitanian troops and the sporadic ambushes by Silver Mask’s men. Though the secret of Prince Hermes’ identity was known among the commanders they continued to refer to him as Silver Mask even amongst themselves, so as not to risk a misguided mutiny. Only Lord Narsus ever referred to Arslan’s rival as Prince Hermes, much to Lord Daryoon’s annoyance. The General didn’t see the necessity of reminding everyone that they were technically engaged in civil war.
Arslan was making his way towards one of the interior gardens of the fortress that morning, thinking of very little when he happened to glance out of one of the courtyard windows that overlooked the small orchard. The scent of cherry blossoms drifted up from the trees and beneath one of them two familiar figures were talking. The Prince glanced furtively at Jaswant, who forever shadowed him.
“Is there… do you think… um, that’d there’d be some way of… err…”
“Of listening to them without attracting the attention of either Lord Narsus or the General, your Highness?” the Shindoran didn’t smile but there was something vaguely amused in his tone.
“…Yes.”
It wasn’t difficult to creep out of sight towards the conversation under Jaswant’s lead.
“I’ve always wondered what they talked about.” The Prince confided in a whisper. Jaswant didn’t reply but the telltale flicker in his gaze could be taken as agreement.
Beneath the tree Narsus held out a hand as the cherry blossom showered down around him. He closed his eyes, inhaling the fragrance of the petals.
“… and you’re not making it easier…” Daryoon glared at some unfocused point in the distance.
“I’ve always loved sakura.” Narsus said softly, obviously not hearing anything that Daryoon was saying.
“What? You’re not even listening to me.”
“Sakura… cherry blossom…” the strategist translated absently.
“Which have nothing to do with anything.” Daryoon retorted.
Narsus opened his eyes and turned to look at the warrior, finally. “What was it you were saying?” he enquired pleasantly.
“I was saying that you aren’t making anything easier by constantly reminding everyone that not only are we fighting the Lucitanians but that we are also fighting off a rival claim to the throne!”
“Oh… that…” A single blossom had landed in his outstretched hand and Narsus seemed transfixed by it.
“You’re not listening!”
“I am… I promise you, I am…” He moved to lean back against the tree trunk, folding his arms.
“Then you’re not actually paying any attention to what I’m saying.”
Narsus shut his eyes again, not even voicing a reply. Daryoon glared at him a little, then sighed when it looked like no reply would be forthcoming.
Arslan shifted in his hiding place, beginning to wonder if Narsus had fallen asleep.
“Why do you follow him?” Narsus spoke suddenly.
“What?” Daryoon regarded the strategist warily, as if suspecting some sort of trick.
“Why do you follow the Prince?”
“Well…”
Narsus’ eyes opened “Why follow the son of Andragoras, rather than the son of Osiris?”
“I…”
“Surely Prince Hermes has a stronger claim to the throne. After all, he is the son of Andragoras’ older brother.”
Daryoon fell silent.
“All things considered if one were to follow the line of succession correctly, Arslan would only be in line for the throne if Hermes didn’t produce an heir. That is the way of things.”
The warrior kept silent, though a thoughtful look crossed his face. “Not always.” He said, at length.
“Oh?”
“As I recall there was a slightly similar situation a few years back…” There was a flicker of a mischievous smile on Daryoon’s face.
“Do tell.”
“There were several cousins… at least twelve, I think, of varying ages to choose from. And if one went by the rakings of their parents’ ages then the children of the eldest of the original siblings should have been granted the highest esteem.”
Narsus nodded.
“In fact there were four cousins in total who, by that argument should have been given precedence over the one who was actually granted heir-ship of their clan.”
“And if one were to dismiss the respective ages of their parents?” the strategist’s tone was teasing now.
“In that case there were five who should have been given precedence.”
“And yet a younger cousin was chosen as inheritor of the clan?”
“Not only that but he appointed an unlikely successor too.” Daryoon was openly smiling, in a manner that suggested that he had the upper hand.
“Scandalous.” Narsus murmured.
“There is one thing I would like to know though.”
“And what would that be?”
“Why did they appoint once so young to such a position?”
“Why indeed…” the strategist appeared to be pondering the question. “Put simply, I would say…”
“Yes?”
“My cousins’ just weren’t leadership material.”
Daryoon laughed softly “Does that answer your question?”
“Mmm, but you’re completely ignoring the ‘divine right to rule’.”
“So I am. Then let me ask you a question.”
“By all means.”
“Why do you follow the Prince?”
“That’s easy… Because I don’t actually believe in ‘divine right’ at all.”
Still hidden, Arslan smiled to himself, comforted by the fact that his advisors believed in him. He would have signalled to Jaswant that they should leave when it seemed that the conversation had picked up again.
“…but in the end, all these wars, all this politics, all the fighting…” Narsus spun round under the fresh deluge of petals that had begun to fall.
Daryoon simply watched, with a look that suggested that he was expecting some random poetic wisdom pertaining to the longevity of art at any moment.
“In the end all that we do, everything that we attach some meaning to, everything that we hope will outlast us… In the end, what does it all mean?”
“I don’t know but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Came the dry response.
“In the end… it all means nothing.” And Narsus threw his head back and laughed.
“It means nothing?” Daryoon was sceptical.
“It all means absolutely nothing! Isn’t that wonderful, Daryoon?” the strategist had now thrown his arms around Daryoon’s neck.
Daryoon pulled Narsus closer “It all means nothing and that’s supposed to be good news then, is it?”
“But of course! It’s perfect! What ever we do, what ever we achieve, all the mistakes we make will turn to dust and the world will start over again regardless.”
“So we should just stop and give up?”
“Now, Daryoon, don’t be nihilistic.”
The warrior sighed, watching as a stray blossom landed briefly on the tip of his nose before floating on its way.
“I’ve always loved sakura.” Narsus sighed softly, apparently forgetting about the conversation entirely. “They say that the blossom star is the most beautiful thing of all.”
“Right.” Was Daryoon’s only response as they began to make their way back inside.
Both the Prince and his bodyguard watched as the two moved off. Arslan frowned and looked at Jaswant but the Shindoran’s expression didn’t betray any reaction, as per usual. Arslan continued to frown as they also made their way back inside the fortress walls, perhaps listening in on Daryoon and Narsus’ conversations wasn’t such a good idea after all, especially if they left him feeling this confused. Still, at least they believed him… as for the rest about it all meaning nothing, that made as much sense as Narsus’ final meandering comments about ‘blossom stars’… what ever they where…
Passing one of the windows that looked out onto the orchard, Narsus paused. It was a beautiful sight with only the enclosing walls marring the natural environment, though for the moment it was tolerable.
“And perhaps one day the World will wish for change.” He spoke so softly that even his companion couldn’t have heard.
A couple of steps ahead Daryoon waited for the strategist to catch up.
“At the expense of Humanity? That would be too great a cost.” He muttered.
Too much X/1999… can you tell? I love the ending of the TV series…
Sakura means ‘cherry blossom’ and Sakurazuka translates as ‘blossom star’. Sakurazukamori translates as ‘Guardian of the Cherry Blossom Barrow’ but I couldn’t find an excuse to put that in.
In X/1999 Fumma/Dark Kamui can determine wishes and as he says ‘the Earth wishes for change’.
And now I’ve written this perhaps I’ll get on and finish “Changes”.
23:13, 15/10/02