CHAPTER TWO
SILENCE

"Is she a good girl?"
"The best and dearest in the world."

 "No, my liege!" Jade exploded.  "You cannot take..."
 "Be quiet," he hissed back, voice just one more slash of black in
the darkness.
 Serenity had turned moon white, eyes widening, yet she managed to
fight back her brimming tears to ask, "Under what terms, m'lord?"
 "A permanent house guest.  A companion.  I have had no one but my
four for the longest time."  His voice smoothed to a melancholy
note, though it was hard for something so deep to sound so blue. 
"You do not question my honor, do you?"
 "One must question, m'lord, in cases such as this," she replied,
tone almost even.
 He felt rage and humor at the same time, and pushed down both.  "I
understand, Lady, yet let it be known that my intention are
honorable."
 "Then why do you have need of me, my lord?"
 There was a shuffle, and the form of the Prince emerged ever so
slightly from the dark above.  "I am lonely, lady," came the dark,
dark voice.  "I have been without sight for so long."
  Jupiter thought
with fists clenched.  She checked Serenity, who was...seemed to be
melting.  
 Indeed, Serenity was losing ground.  Finally, she pulled out her
last argument.
 "But what of those I care about?  My Ladies, and my Mother? 
They'll be lonely without me, too.  And I feel I cannot bear to
leave them.  Please, m'lord, I beg of you, select something else
for me to fulfill."
 The air immediately went dark and tense, portents of anger
whirling within.  "Lady,' came the voice, rumbling with the
ominousness of a black thundercloud.  "Your words were 'allow me to
make this up to you.  To compensate you...'  Well, in return for
you trespass upon my castle, I ask for you Lady.  For your company. 
Yet you cannot even dignify me with that!"
 "I have important duties, m'lord!"
 "Don't tell me about important duties!" he roared, voice
ferociously deep, and almost painful.  "I have had duties which
supersede every facet of my life.  Yet, in that time, I never broke
a promise or renigged on a loan given.  I never asked for less or a
delay.  I did all that I could.  Just because you're a noble woman,
it does not mean you can skimp on your duties!"
 The force of his speech nearly tumbled Serenity over, but those
mad--Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and now Mercury--those who knew how
honorable their Lady was, boiled over. 
 "How dare you!" Jupiter raged.  "You who do not know...!"
 "You arrogant clod!" Mars followed.
 "Honor?  Nobility?  It's as shrouded as this room is!" Mercury
added.
 "Loneliness becomes you!" Venus snapped.
 The currents of the room, the air and the emotion which had been
dark before, now plunged even deeper into the night.  The lit
candelabras went out, and a crackle of thunder rumbled.  Upon the
balcony, the Prince's lips twisted into a sneer.
 It was not pleasant.
 There had been moments when he was going to settle on another boon
to extract from her.  Perhaps just request the lady's company for a
fortnight.  He knew his speech was abrasive, for it was a test. 
Had her guard not interfered and insulted him, he may have allowed
her loose.  Yet their outburst gave him insight into how much they
cared.
 "Put them to the blade!" he cried out.
 "I was hoping not to do this," Zoisite said, voice sad, as he
removed a dagger from his belt.
 Serenity felt a chill creep up her spine, and turned.  Her Senshi
had strung themselves out in a jagged line, just in case the time
for an attack came.  Now, each one suddenly stiffened, and then
stood very still, eyes wide.  Jupiter struggled briefly until a
trickle of blood suddenly ran down her throat, and she froze as
well.
 She now knew what he meant, and turned away.  As such, she was
unable to hear Kunzite's whispered apology, nor the others soft
condolences.  Even Nephrite offered his to Jupiter though she had
tried to disable him, adding that she would be able to salvage her
honor later.
 "Do not hurt them!" she cried out.  "Please, have compassion!"
 "Keep your word, Lady.  Stay with me."
 She froze, and quickly looked between the two.  Tears poured out
of her eyes as the darkness pressed in her.   She dropped, a wilting
blossom of the Moon.
 "Please," she whispered.
 "Is your heart so hard?" came back the reply.  "Will you allow
your ladies deaths because you want your freedom?"
 "No!" she yelled.  "I will not let them be harmed!"
 "Then say it, Lady.  Say it!"
 She wilted right to the floor, and began to sob.  To her Guard, it
was like a slash of pain right to the bones, and each quivered to
comfort her.  The sentiment intrigued their captors, whose cold
steel was by now flattened against their necks.  It wasn't a
particularly comfortable position, nor strategically sound, but it
had been an attempt to remove some of the danger.  They wondered
how close these five were, and sadly, if they'd ever been that
close to the Prince.
  she thought.  
 Swiftly came her response, as Endymion watched from above.  Her
crescent moon, camouflaged (as usual) under a magical seal, briefly
peeked through this cover-up, giving off a defuse golden glow. 
Though to those behind it seemed as if a shaft of light had struck
her, he saw the glow come from her.  Suddenly, he wondered if he
had gone too far.
 Yet, the voice was not of revenge.
 *Serenity.*
 *Mother?  Oh, Mother, help me!*
 *My dearest, you are old enough now to make a decision on your
own.*
 *But mother, it's my life or my Senshi's?  How could I ever
choose?*
 Silence crossed the golden gap, and then came softly, *Do not
think of us, dearest.  Think of what is best.*
 *Yes, Mother.*
 The defuse glow fell away, leaving Serenity dry eyed and calm. 
She took a moment to regain her lost poise, and then stood.
 "Yes, m'lord," she said calmly.  "I will stay."
 "NO!" Mars cried out.
 "You can't, my..."
 "It is settled," boomed out his voice.  "Now, to your rude
guard..."
 "Wait, m'lord! Before you pronounce judgment over them, grant me
this: their company for a fortnight, so that I will be able to
accommodate myself to this place.  Also, if I may, I'd like to send
messages to my mother and kingdom, explaining my delay.  It would
pacify any misunderstanding, I am sure," she called out.
 "Can you release us yet?" Mercury asked softly.
 "Unfortunately not, m'lady."
 She shivered.  "I fear we will all catch our deaths in this
place."
 "A chill will not infect you, m'lady.  It is an old myth."
 "I am perfectly aware of that," she replied.  "It's just that
we're wet and cold, and I'm afraid of lowered immune system
response."
 She could feel his mouth drop behind her.
 "Did I hurt you?" Jadeite asked quietly.
 "Will he say yes?" she whispered back.  "And not as much as you
could have, for which I am thankful."
 "Heartening, Lady.  But I do not know."
 "I hate when someone takes this long to think," Jupiter grumbled.
 "I do not want to hold this blade against you much longer, Lady,"
Neph replied.
 "If you knew me, you would," she replied shortly.
 "Please let us stay.  Please.  We need to, please."
 "He will, Lady.  At least, I hope so."
 "Seems unlikely."
 "Must I apologize a thousand more times?" he questioned softly. 
"Orders are orders.  I am sure you understand."
 Serenity looked up in hope and prayer for so long her neck began
to hurt, and she began to wonder if he had died.  However, she also
knew that one must mull over important decisions, especially in
this case.
 "Yes, I permit it.  For the fortnight only, Lady.  Then, they MUST
go."
 "I agree and understand, m'lord."
 "Sheath your blades."
 Each of the Generals did with relish.  Well, except Nephrite, for
the minute the metal touched sheath Jupiter whirled about and
decked him.
 "Hey!" he yelled, falling to the ground.
 "My honor is regained," she replied, and then, softly, "Are you
all right?"
 "Fine," he replied, and she offered her hand to him.  He took it,
and stood.  For a moment, warrior stared at warrior, hands still
held until Jupiter dropped it, eyes blushing.  He continued to
stare at her for awhile after.
 Moments later, they all surrounded the Princess, who hugged and
reassured them all.  Quietly, though, so the four who moved about
the room relighting lamps and candle holders would not hear. 
Though the men probably would've done the same, they still felt a
little snubbed.
 About five minutes later, when the Four had joined their Master in
the balcony, that Zoisite suddenly realized something.
 "We don't know their names," he whispered.  They all cast him a
curious eye so he added, "We never got their names.  Nor their
ranks.  We have just caught five women, and we have no clue who
they are!"
 The others mulled for a few moments, but it wasn't until Jupiter
called up, "Do we have to find our own rooms?" that they reacted.  
 "My guard will lead you by light to them, but we first need to ask
you something.  Your names, if you please," called down the Prince.
 Before anyone could reply, Mercury dashed forward and called up,
"My lord, we request Silence."
 "What?" the Prince asked.
 "It's a tradition of concealment, m'lord, adopted when Sanctuary
was a rule.  Those who wanted protection from the law could ask for
Sanctuary and claim Silence, giving false names.  It worked both
way; the criminal had a length's Sanctuary, and the lord could not
be blamed for sheltering someone unhealthy.  It has fallen into
some disuse, of course, for its obvious negative aspects," Zoisite
recited.
 Down below, Mercury finished a similar recitation.
 "Great, we need new names," Jupiter said.
 "Wonderful--new names," Neph snapped, still nursing his pain.  
 "Not necessarily for us, just them.  It depends on what the Prince
says, actually."
 "I leave it to you, my Guard.  From now on, though, call me Prince
while in their presence.  It presents a noble front without
revealing much."
 "I had a dog named Prince once," Jade said absentmindedly.
 The Prince growled.
 "Greatest pet I ever had," he added quickly.  "But, anyways, I'll
just call myself Jade.  What will they know?"
 "Know me in public as Kishi," Nephrite said.  At Jade's look, he
sighed and added, "Don't you know anything?  It means 'knight'."
 "Call me Ryu," Kunzite said.
 "How clever," Zoisite drawled.  "Easy enough to remember."  He
paused for a moment.  "I'll get back to you on mine."
 "Are you ready, ladies?" Nephrite called down.
 "Of course," came back the reply.  "Look down, so I may present
ourselves."
 The voice was the blond, the Prince realized.  The all leaned over
to watch as she stepped away.
 "I wonder what tongue they'll choose," Zoi murmured to himself. 
Both what were generally called "Diarth" and "Doorh" were spoken
widely and freely; bilingualism was a way of life.  Sometimes even
children were named in both tongues, just to start their language
lessons early.
 "May I introduce Aisuno Kiri," she started, and the blue haired
woman stepped forward, and bowed.
  Jade thought.  
 "This is Kageno Hiko," and with it came the raven haired lady.
 He looked to Neph, unable to figure it out, yet Neph was looking
at Zoi.  "Shadow Fire," the man said without even looking at them.
 Jade and Neph tossed each other looks.
 "Ikarino Arashi," was the brunette.  It made Nephrite smile, and
touch his jaw, remembering the definite storm within her.  A storm
of anger, a fury untouchable.
 "I am Akarino Aiko," she added.
 "Love of Light?  By God, this sounds like.."
 The two looked at Zoi.  "The crossword," they said in unison.
 "And, it is my honor to present our Lady, the Lady Serin," she
finished, and they all bowed lowly as the Lady stepped out and
curtseyed.
 Quickly, the men followed with their intros, Zoi finally choosing
for himself the name of "Naosu," which Kunzite found amusing.
 "We know each other now," called up Mars, or rather, Hiko.  "Can
we please get baths and clothes?"
 "Take them to the Hall of Flowers.  Room them suitably."  He
looked between them, animal eyes able to discern the slight
wavering in the air that signaled them.  "Jadeite and Zoisite..."
 "My liege, Jade and Naosu," Ryu reminded him quickly.
 There was a faint curl to his mouth, which could've been a smile
or a snarl.  "Well then, Jade and Naosu, you will be responsible
for their care.  If anything is needed, they will be directed to
you."
 The two bowed.  "Yes, m'liege," they said in unison.  "We hear and
obey." 
 "Then go, and disturb me no longer," he said.  The two bowed again
and flew over the balcony, touching down lightly near the group. 
Above, they faintly heard, "Please come this way," followed by the
lifting of a candelabra.  The ladies squelched away after that,
door closing after them.
 "Since we are alone now, I will address you by your given names,"
the Prince quietly said, a hint of ice in his voice.
"Come with me."
 The two remaining Generals exchanged a small glance, then followed
their lord through the doorway.  It shut with a click, and most of
the light was extinguished.  The Prince's eyes glowed faintly blue
as they gestured to follow.  Then, the sound of quick footsteps,
and the men floated after.  The Shadows brightened and darkened
depending on the rooms they passed, but they did not come into true
light until the Prince stopped, clicked on a tiny latch, and they
entered his chamber.  
 It was just a little lighter than the passageway, and made
gloomier by the hunter green and black the room had been decorated
in.  It was essentially bare, except for the large wardrobe where
he kept his cloaks, gloves, and riding gear.  Due to his
composition, clothes were no longer necessary; his cloak shielded
him from the elements his fur could not keep out.  The rug and
walls had no decoration aside from one dark tapestry of a wolf in
the reeds, his amber eyes a sign that you were too late.  Yet he
did not stop in his room, but moved onto his solarium.  The
moonlight flooded the room, as it somehow always managed to do,
casting it's silver onto the three relics within: a crystal table
with a golden gem in the middle, an ageless hunting bird with eyes
as blue as its Master's, and upon the table, the reddest of red
roses, barely opened.  They were the Hider's Gifts, the peoples
that lived within the forests and rivers and seas, the people of
Nature and the Earth.  The Terra family Prince was always given
three gifts at the age of seven, for it was about then that they
decided what could be accorded to the young man.  After his
enchantment, the items had been left outside the gates, following
which most of the trails were allowed to grow over.
 "My Guardians, we have been here for many years," the Prince
began.  "In that time, no one has come to us.  No family, no
friends."  He thought Nephrite may have winced, but wasn't sure. 
"Yet suddenly, on the eve of the Topaz coronation, five women show
up."  His blue eyes bored into them.  "Why?"
 "It is difficult to say, my lord," Kunzite said.  "After all, the
paths were hidden, and the gates sealed."
 "Yet the Lady claims to have opened them, and I would bet she
could," Nephrite stepped in.  "They all have great power."
 "Yes, I felt that," he replied with an odd air.  "I want you two
to keep a careful eye on them.  Be charming.  Be nice.  Offer to
show them anywhere except those areas forbidden.  And keep your
eyes constantly on them.  Understand?"
 "Yes, m'lord," they said.  Kunzite added, "My lord, permit me a
question."
 "You may speak." 
 "When will you see the lady?"
 The Prince did not whirl as he feared he would, but instead picked
up the rose on the table.  "I am not sure, my friend," he said
softly.  "I will decide by myself, though, when the time is right. 
Understood?"
 "Yes, m'lord."
 "Good.  Dismissed," he ordered roughly, and they vanished.

*	*	*	*
 "This place is incredible.  Have I mentioned that yet?  In-cred-
ible," Venus, a.k.a. Akari, said as she walked into Serenity's
room.  Her blond hair was still a little damp from the cleaning it
had undergone, but she looked spectacularly better than before.
 "Yes, you said that, Mina," Mars shot back.
 "Shush, both of you," Serenity said worriedly.  "This palace has
eyes."
 "Invisible ones, mostly," Jupiter said, entering.  She wore a jade
nightdress, and her hair was down; for once, she looked very
feminine.  She smiled, a little painfully, at their gasps and
smiles.
 "Which is why we should be careful," Mercury said.  "We've
requested Silence, which is a serious thing.  A very serious thing. 
We cannot go around breaking it just because we're alone.  At
least, not without permission."
 "It's a good thing we used to call each other those silly names
while we were training," Mars said.  "They're life savers."
 "And not so silly," Serenity added.  "They fit very well to the
Four of you."  She sighed, rather musically and softly.  "I will
miss you all."
 "Serin, you know we can't let you stay," Jupiter said.  
 "She's right, Serin," Venus added.  "As your guard, we have the
duty to protect you.  It is what we were trained to do, ordered to
do.  For us to leave you..."
 "You must. It is apart of the deal made," she replied evenly.
 "Serin, you can't stay here with those...those men!  They tried to
kill us," Jupiter protested.
 "They were following their Master's orders," Mars said quietly.
 "She's right," Venus chimed in.  Mars looked at her for a second,
surprised, but the woman's face was serious and blank.
 "Then their Master tried to kill us," she said firmly.  "That's
not right, and this is no such place for a woman of your rank."
 "Arashi," Serenity said, rolling the name about her tongue as if
it were a new taste sensation.  "Calm yourself.  You must remember
that a woman of my rank can no more break a promise than stay in a
dwelling below her status.  And this dwelling is hardly below my
rank.  It's, as Aiko said, incredible."
 "Well, I guess this is like talking to a brick wall," Jupiter
snapped quietly.  "I'm turning in.  Night all."  She waved
perfunctionarily and headed to her room, a forest grove.
 "I agree and follow," Mars added, slipping off to her own room, a
tropical garden.
 One by one the ladies slipped to their rooms, Mercury to a cheery
tundra, Venus to a bright field.  Serenity watched them go quietly,
and then turned to the window.  She kneeled before the sill and
prayed for awhile.  Two soft tears slipped down her cheeks, and
ever so quietly she whispered, "Mother."
 From his table, the Prince watched the scene unfold in gold.  Sighing, he shook his head, and turned away.

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