• The Eighth Note || Chapter Two - Geschwind


    The dark corridors of the Saren castle halls seemed darker as Princess Arisa walked through them, running her finger along the coble wall. Every fifteen inches or so her fingers would run over large tapestries, illustrating the exuberant history of Sare’s Royalty. Princess Arisa Phoe was a beautiful eighteen-year-old who had dark maroon hair that trailed down her back. She had bright crimson red eyes and was petite in every way. Around her neck she wore a thick ribbon choker with the Phoe Family crest on it.

    In the back of Arisa’s mind, all of her vivid memories of her and Brandt’s childhood rushed through. Their every conversation, every breath, every movement, every kiss came through to her in a flash.

    One Memory in particular, when Brandt had initially asked her to marry him six years ago.

    It was one of the many beautiful Morenian summer days; bright sunlight, clear skies, and warm air. It was before Arisa’s mother, Naomi had passed away. Ashtion and Naomi were good friends. They often visited each other and discussed everything from diplomatic situations between Sare and Morana to the really cute King of Mon. It was fine with Arisa. She loved to visit the handsome Prince of Morana, and the handsome Prince of Morana was always excited for her visit too. It’d been no secret that Brandt and Arisa had started a relationship—It was another reason that the “diplomatic” meetings between Queen Ashtion and Queen Naomi occurred.

    This incident happened when Arisa was eleven and Brandt was thirteen. They were young, but oh-so in love. And everyone knew it. Brandt and Arisa were walking in the vast courtyard of the Morenian castle, fingers locked and steps in synch.

    “Arisa.” Brandt had suddenly said. They’d been enjoying the silence between each other for so long, his voice was alarming. “Arisa, I want to ask you something.”

    Arisa smiled. Brandt’s readiness to discuss anything and everything with her pleased her to no end. “Go ahead, Brandt.” She swung their arms between them playfully.

    Brandt glanced down at their arms, distracted for a moment. “Arisa, I want to marry you.” He said, almost too quietly for her to hear him. They stopped walking under a cherry blossom tree that had petals falling constantly. Brandt took up Arisa’s other hand, and held it softly in his. “I don’t have a ring, but please tell me you’ll do it.” He looked at her with a shimmering, Princely, smile. His eyes were glistening bright emerald.

    Arisa looked at him seriously. “We’re hardly even teenagers, Brandt.”

    “There’s no one I want to be by my side when I take the throne more than you, Arisa. I know we’re young—still kids even,” Brandt bent down on one knee, and kissed her hand gently. “But I love you more than anything else in the world. Than anyone else in the world. More so than myself. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I don’t want to know what I’d do without you—I don’t want to have to experience life without you.”

    Of course, Arisa felt that way too. How could she not? But she didn’t know that he did too. She wasn’t aware that this kind of love was real. That it existed or that anyone could experience it. “You really feel that way?” She breathed.

    “Of course.” He kissed her hand again. “Do you not?”

    Arisa dropped to her knees, too, and pulled her hands from his and put them to his face. She held it gently and he leaned into her fingers. “More than you know.”

    Brandt took her into his arms and stroked her arms. “So, you will?” He whispered into her ear.

    Arisa turned in his arms to get a look at his face. Her crimson eyes sparkled. “Of course I will, Brandt.” Brandt’s face lit up, and he leaned in and touched their lips together softly, for the first time.

    Brandt pulled back after a quick peck. “Arisa, I love you.” He said softly.

    “I love you too, Brandt.” Arisa replied, wrapping her arms around him tightly and reaching up to give him another kiss.

    Engulfed in her memories, Arisa ran into Elezar. “Princess!” Elezar steadied her. “Please watch were you’re going, Your Highness.”

    Arisa looked up at him. “Oh, I’m sorry Elezar. I was—I was thinking.”

    “About the wedding?”

    “About Brandt.” Arisa corrected. “I don’t see why I would think about a wedding I don’t want to attend.”

    “It is your wedding though, Your Highness.”

    “Am I getting married to Brandt?”

    “I don’t see why you woul—“

    “You don’t?” Arisa paced down the hallway past Elezar. The seventy-two year old man struggled to keep up with Arisa. “You don’t see why I’d be getting married to Brandt? I guess my being betrothed to him wouldn’t have anything to do with it, hmm?” Arisa started to walk faster through the halls. She made her way to a large ball room in the center of the castle.

    “Princess you aren’t betrothed to him.” Elezar said quietly.

    “I’ll have you thrown in the dungeon for that.” Arisa seethed.

    “Princess, you’re getting married to his Highness Prince Ryohei of Clef. Remember?” Elezar smiled, happy to be able to remind her.

    Arisa threw open the ball room doors. “False!” She hollered. “Ryohei is a dog! I will not degrade myself by being his bride. Especially since I don’t even like his company, much less love him.” She walked into the large ball room and pirouetted to the other side. Enveloped in her dancing, she didn’t notice when Ryohei started to dance with her. Prince Ryohei Lisen was Clef’s only remaining Royalty. He was twenty-six years old, tall, had light lavender hair and was quite muscular. He wore an eye patch over his left eye.

    “You don’t like my company, Princess?” He said, grabbing her wrist.

    “Your Highness!” Arisa nearly fell over. “When did you get here?” She pulled her wrist out of his hand, and took a few steps back.

    Taking steps towards her, Ryohei smirked. “I’ve been here the whole time. I was thinking that this ball room would be a great place for the wedding to be held.” He glanced around at the walls that had floor-to-ceiling mirrors on them. “If ‘Mister Magical Dream Prince’ decides to show up, this place would be a wonderful place to fight.” Ryohei took Arisa’s wrist again and pulled her to him. He pressed his face to Arisa’s and took a deep breath. “Wouldn’t you love to watch him die in so many perspectives?” Arisa struggled to get out of his grasp, but she couldn’t. “Oh, that’s so cute.” Ryohei laughed manically. “You’re very sexy when you’re trying to get away.” Ryohei craned Arisa’s face up towards him. He pressed his lips to hers and forcibly kissed her. Arisa tried to break the kiss, but it only made Ryohei kiss more fiercely.

    When he finally released her, Arisa spat on the floor. “You are a vile creature, Ryohei.”

    “Prince Ryohei, to you Wench.”

    “And that’s another thing; it’s a really good thing that you call your ‘bride-to-be’ a wench. Is that just me, or do you do this to all your wives?” Arisa smirked as she spoke, feeling as if she’d got him.

    But she hadn’t, that infuriated Ryohei to no end and he quickly showed her just how angry he was. Ryohei smacked Arisa swiftly with the back of his hand. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking about, but surely it is not me.” He backhanded her once more, and she screamed. “Get out of my presence! You should be ashamed!” Arisa took a step back, holding her cheek in pain. “Get! Go! I don’t want to see you anymore!”

    Elezar quickly came up to usher Arisa out of the ball room. “C’mon Princess.” He said quietly. He took her by her shoulders and led her out the doors. He took Arisa to her room, and closed the door once she was inside.

    Arisa started to freely cry once she was by herself. She ran up to her balcony doors and threw them open and draped herself over the balcony railing. “Oh Brandt!” She sobbed. “I hope you get here soon…“ She looked out on the twilight lit sky. She almost thought she saw her Prince riding his horse into the courtyard.


    ******



    Brandt and Lind had just arrived in Alce. “We should get a wagon.” Lind said, as they approached the market part of town.

    “What are we, settlers?” Brandt laughed at his historical joke. “But no. I agree actually. I mean, there’s no way Snow and May could hold all our crap otherwise.”

    “And then one of us could nap in there and—“

    “That’s gay Lind.” Brandt immediately discarded Lind’s idea.

    “Hey, that’s not nice.” Lind put out his lower lip. “I don’t wanna be awake all night for the next few days.” He wined.

    “Too Bad.”

    “Braaaaaaanddddttt!” Lind wined louder.

    “Dude, shut up. We’re gonna look gay trying to buy food and crap if you’re doing that.” Brandt shoved him playfully. They came up to a shop that was selling fruits and vegetables. “Okay, let’s get a crap load of these,” Brandt said, hopping off of Snow’s back and grabbing a few bundles of bananas. “Got any requests, Lind?” Brandt started to smell the bananas.

    Lind thought for a moment. “Kiwi, Watermelon, Honeydew, canta—Oh! You can’t carry those on your own!” Lind hopped off May and grabbed the watermelon and Cantaloupe from Brandt. “Maybe we should get a basket…?” Lind suggested. They’d never be able to carry all of the produce with just the two of them.

    Brandt nodded in agreement and picked one up. He set the kiwi and bananas in the basket. “I feel really frui—gay. I don’t like holding this basket one bit.” He picked up a few tomatoes and two or three carrots. “I bet I look like a wo—“

    “OH. MY. GOD!” A girlie voice was heard from behind the two men. “It’s Prince Brandt!” Suddenly an onslaught of girlie, high pitched screams was heard.

    “Holy Crap!” Brandt reflexively turned around and stepped backwards, up against the stands. “Lind take this basket for God’s sake!” He handed it over to Lind, and Lind dashed towards the horses.

    “Prince Brandt, Prince Brandt! Will you sign my breasts?!” “Prince Brandt, Let me have your children!” “Oh my God, Prince Brandt, you are SOOOOOO gorgeous! Can we make out!?” Millions of girls huddled around Brandt. They were all screaming and reaching for him.

    Brandt looked up to find a very convenient post hanging in the ceiling. He jumped up, and grabbed it. The girls’ hands were still reaching for him. “Seriously, you guys need to leave. I mean—Holy Crap! Don’t touch me there!” Brandt kicked up his leg protectively over his pelvis. “You guys are awful!” He started to make his way out of the crowd from the post. When he came to the end of the ceiling, he swung around and jumped onto the roof.

    “Aiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!! Prince Brandt is soooooo talented!” “I touched his pants guys!” “Ha! I got one better; I got my hand in his pocket!” “Did you guys feel his six pack! Oh My God, he’s so beautiful!” “Prince Brandt is sculpted, girls! He must work out daily!” “Girls, I got his belt off!” All the girls were huddled around the one girl who was holding up Brandt’s belt and were screaming in awe.

    “What the--! How--!?” Brandt looked down at his pants and noticed his belt was indeed missing. “How in the—“ Brandt swore. “—did you get my belt?!” He looked down on the girls with piercing eyes. “Throw it up here, now!”

    “No way! This is mine now! Unless… Unless you take off your shirts.” The girl said, sticking her tongue out. “Oh, and take your hair down.” All of the girls squealed.

    “Oh God yes!” “Do it, Prince!” “There’s obviously no way to get your belt back otherwise!” “C’mon, Prince Brandt! Don’t disappoint your people!” “Pleeeeeeeaaaassssssseeee!”

    Brandt sighed. “Are you kidding me? That’s absurd.” All the girls screamed again. “Okay! Fine. But then you have to give me my belt back, and leave me alone.” The girls squealed once more. Brandt sighed again and removed his scarf. He then took off his two shirts and pulled out his hair tie. Even in the pale twilight Brandt’s sculpted chest shimmered. His long hair laid out over his shoulders and down his back. It was truly a sight to behold.

    The girls’ roar quadrupled in volume. “Oh my god! He’s soooooo handsome!” “Look at those abs!” “How can anyone be that inhumanly beautiful!?” “I want to have your children, Prince Brandt!” “Let’s get married!” The girls tried to reach for him again.

    “Okay now throw up my belt!” Brandt said pulling his hair up and back again. He smoothed out his bangs and tightened his ponytail. “C’mon! I have stuff to do!”

    “You have to come down here, I throw like a girl.” The girl said. “And don’t put your shirt back on yet. Or I’ll keep the belt, I swear I will!” Brandt didn’t doubt her. The belt was already looped through her jeans—a million times, since Brandt’s waist was so big compared to her’s—buckled and everything.

    “Fine, Fine.” Brandt sighed, collecting his scarf and his shirts and preparing to jump down. “Swear to god if…” Brandt mumbled under his breath. He walked into the crowd of girls, all of which were touching him all over. He walked up to the girl with his belt and held out his hand.

    “Say, ‘Please give me my belt, Lindsay.’ And I’ll give it to you.” Lindsay started to take off Brandt’s belt and rolled it around her hand.

    “Damnit, Lindsay! Give me my belt!” Brandt had a look of pure fury and hatred.

    Lindsay handed the belt to him, and for a second her fingers brushed his. Brandt stormed off and Lindsay collapsed. “The Prince said my name…!” She gasped. The rest of the girls surrounded her and helped her up. They all hurried off before Brandt had the chance to turn around.

    Brandt pulled on his shirts and looped his belt back in place. “I can’t believe that!” He said to Lind, while wrapping his scarf on. “The girls here in Alce are crazy!”

    “Yeah, poor you. It’s like almost eight thirty. I think we should hurry up, if you want to get to Lisian by Midnight.” Lind handed Brandt the basket.

    Brandt nodded in agreement, as he picked up a few last vegetables and then paying for it all. The two left the produce stand in search of someone to sell them a wagon, some weapons, and also bread, then quickly left Alce.




    In no time Brandt and Lind were well on their way to Lisian “Lind, what time is it?” Brandt asked, yawning. They were about half way to Lisian, and the horses as well as Brandt and Lind were becoming exhausted.

    Lind pulled his pocket watch out of his pack. “It’s about Ten Thirty.” He announced, putting the watch away.

    Then, out of no where, an arrow flew past Brandt’s head. It grazed the side of his bangs. “Holy--!” Brandt started to look around. “Did you see that?!” Brandt turned to Lind. “That was an attempt on my life!”


    “There must be some soldiers from the Clefian Royal Family army around here.” Lind started to look around too.

    “That’s illegal. I can declare war on Clef rightfully now!” Brandt exclaimed. He pulled Snow to a stop. The big white horse took a step back. Another arrow whizzed by Brandt and he pulled Snow’s head down. “Watch out, girl!” Snow neighed uneasily. “Lind grab me one of those new swords, the one with the ruby in the hilt, preferably.”

    The wagon was attached to the back of May, so Lind quickly pulled her to a stop and jumped off running around to the back and pulling out the requested sword. “Heads up, Your Highness!” Lind called out tossing the sword to Brandt.

    Brandt caught it at the hilt and quickly unsheathed it. “Let’s go, Snow. We’ll find who ever is shooting at us.” Brandt swung the sword carefully and whipped the reigns.

    “I’ve got your back, Your Highness!” Lind held up the remaining sword along with the victory-V.

    Brandt raced around every tree, cliff, bush, and shack in the area. He finally found the enemy. “There you are!” He said, jumping off of Snow and heading towards a hooded man.

    The man quickly pulled his bow around his shoulder and bolted from the scene. He ran in an awkward fashion, holding his robe around his waist and constantly tripping.

    “Get back here!” Brandt called, picking up a rock and chucking it at the hooded man’s head. It knocked him over and he held his head in pain. Brandt towered over the surprisingly frail man. “I’ve got you now—“

    The man pulled his arms over his face. “Don’t hurt me Your Highness!!” He didn’t appear much older than Brandt was. His features were soft, and feminine. “I’ll do what ever you want, just don’t hurt me please, Your Highness!”

    Brandt bent over and picked the man up by the front of his shirt. “Tell me who sent you.” Brandt twirled his sword with threatening expertise.

    The man swallowed hard. “It was the King of Pos.” He said in a squeaky voice. “He paid me to ‘Finish off the family’. I didn’t want to, but he threatened to kill my girlfriend!” The man shook with fear. “I’m just a shopkeeper from the eastern coast of Morana- my girlfriend is pregnant… Please don’t hurt me, Sire!”

    Brandt set the man on the ground. “How do you have connections with King Arelcu?”

    The man shook in fear. “My family is from Pos. And- And my family had contacted me about how the King wanted my assistance.”

    Brandt looked back at Lind, who was coming up behind them. “Have you heard all this?”

    “I don’t buy it.” Lind grimaced. “Sounds too convenient.” Both Lind and Brandt turned their glances to the man. Both looking unhappy.

    “What is your name?” Brandt looked at him.

    “I-I-I’m Mi’Len Chou, Your Highness.”

    Lind and Brandt exchanged glances. Lind nodded once. That was the sign that he could tell he wasn’t lying. Lind was a master at that.

    Brandt scowled at him. “You’re going to be thrown in jail, Mr. Chou.”

    Mi’Len started to panic and flail. “B-B-But!”

    “Mr. Chou, you attempted on his highness Prince Brandt’s life. There’s no way we can let you get away with this.” Lind shook his head. “We’ll do what we can to save your girlfriend, though.” Lind revealed a pair of hand cuffs and locked them on to Mi’Len’s wrists. “You’ll be coming with us to Lisian now- so we can take you to the authorities.” Lind linked a long chain to the cuffs. “Come with us.”

    Brandt backtracked to where they’d left the horses. He climbed onto Snow and Lind heisted Mi’Len onto May. Brandt whipped his reins and Snow pushed ahead of May. “We’ve got to hurry- this little escapade cost us time. Too much time.” The horse’s hooves beat against the ground heavily. “It’s eleven now- and we must be in Lisen in an hour.

    “That’s ludicrous, Your Highness.” Mi’Len shook his head. “Even by Carriage that trip would take days.”

    Lind whipped the chain forcefully, sending the shock down to Mi’Len. “You do not question the Prince, Mr. Chou.” Lind looked back at him, his face obscured into something more than anger.

    “We could’ve been there already if you hadn’t stopped us.” Brandt yelled. “But no- we had to be attacked.” Brandt was fidgeting uneasily in his saddle, straining himself to get comfortable.

    Well, I’m so sorry my pregnant girlfriend was held hostage so I had to ambush you. I shouldn’t tell you about the other guy. Mi’Len’s voice rang out clearly in Brandt’s ears. “You’d do best to not get smart with me, Peasant.” Brandt said angrily.

    Lind looked at Brandt puzzled. “Brandt- he didn’t say anything.” Lind moved his gaze to Mi’Len, who appeared to be fuming with anger. He hadn’t said anything, But he was defiantly thinking things.

    Brandt shook his head. “No, ‘cause I heard him say something. I heard him saying something about his pregnant girlfriend and another guy.”

    Mi’Len’s head shot up. Lind shook his head. “He didn’t say any-“

    “That’s what I was thinking.” Mi’Len said, rattling the hand cuffs. “I was thinking of saying a smart remark about that—but how did you know…?”

    Brandt didn’t say anything. He was pondering the question himself. How did he know? He looked around uneasily, trying to find an answer from the ecosystem around him. He stopped his eyes on his father riding his own horse next to him. Brandt locked his eyes with the deep emerald eyes of his father. “Yes, son. How did you know?” His father asked.