I feel so exhausted. I wonder why?

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Chapter 22

The siege was not long in the making, but it was only of importance when the Cardinal himself personally came to the front, in the name of the King.

Red did not doubt that something would happen, but he did not say a word. If the Cardinal were here…

He shivered. The Cardinal was the one who really pulled Milady’s strings, if anyone did, but why?

Was it all over the affair of the diamond tags? Surely that was too much!

Lance’s eyes were shadowed as he and his two friends sat in the inn that night. The innkeeper had given them a small, spacious room on the ground floor. Will and Brock were gambling with a set of dice, but Lance himself felt uneasy.

Soon, he heard slight voices, one in particular that was quite interesting. Lance silently moved against the wall, where there was a stove with a drainpipe leading up to the upper room, to heat it as well. He pressed his ear against the pipe and nodded. Yes.

Will and Brock noticed what he was doing, and brought chairs over as they also began to listen in.

The voice was female – Milady, and the other was – the Cardinal? Well, well…

So they were planning to kill of Duke Morty now and stop support from Houen. It was certainly a bold move… and it also signified that Cardinal Oak was desperate.

To resort to assassination, that was no good.

They would need to do something about it, but that was for later…

“A letter of authority can be useful indeed.” Lance whispered. “You two go on ahead. I have something I need to do.”

Will and Brock nodded, not wanting to pry too much. Lance slipped out quietly, his golden eyes burning with suppressed rage. Silently, he headed upstairs and opened the door. The two gentlemen guarding it assumed that he had further instructions for her and did not detain him.

Milady was waiting, bent over a desk and writing. He moved. The dragon blades whistled as they flew through the air and sank through her wrists, pinning her to the wall. She gave a scream of shock, but no one seemed to hear.

He smiled as he walked forwards and sweeping a low bow, removed his hat and let her see his face.

“You!” Lorelei gasped.

“Indeed, Lorelei. I’m surprised you remember me.”

“I remember you well, Count Dragyn of Blackthorn!”

“Oh, but it’s been so simple. The name of ‘Lance’ hid Count Dragyn, and indeed, ‘Milady de Winter’ hid Lorelei of Seafoam, did it not? But come on, let us talk, Milady. I have come expressly from the next world to have a word with you.”

“And what is it to you?” She retorted with anger shimmering in her lovely eyes.

“It is so odd.” He mused, a smile quirking his lips. “That we only went on living because we both thought the other was dead. But I was so sure you had died. I must have made a careless mistake, or the devil resurrected you.”

She could not restrain a sob at that.

“He did, didn’t he? And he’s given you a new name, made you rich beyond your imagination… but he hasn’t cleansed the vile taint from your soul, nor the mark on your left shoulder.”

“What do you want from me?” Milady cried.

“I want you to know, that though you have not seen me, I have had my eyes on you. I can relate all your adventures in the Cardinal’s service.”

Lorelei raised her eyebrows with an ironical smile.

“It was you,” Lance said calmly, “Who cut off two of Duke Morty’s diamond tags for the Cardinal at the ball he gave. It was you, who masterminded the abduction of the Queen’s servant, Whitney. It was you who, perceiving Red of Pallet was Count Gold, gifted upon him a dragon ring. It was you who, knowing that Red knew of your true self, ordered him assassinated, and when that assassination failed, you sent poisoned wine to him in the name of his friends. And tonight, in this very room, you promised Cardinal Oak Duke Morty’s head, in exchange for Red’s life.”

Milady was livid. “To know all of that, you must be Satan himself!”

“Perhaps I am.” Lance rejoined. “Now, I don’t care much for Duke Morty. He’s from Houen, after all, and we are currently at war with them. But if you dare touch one hair on Red’s head, I sear to you that life shall not be worth living.”

Milady laughed. “Red has insulted me, and he will die.”

Lance smiled. “Perhaps, but not by your hand. Can’t you feel it moving, my dear Lorelei? The blades were poisoned. And now, the letter of permission, which the Cardinal wrote for you.”

“Never! I’d die first!”

“That can be arranged.” Lance said softly. “You will be dead of blood loss soon enough, I wager.”

Milady struggled, but the knives held fast. She swore inwardly. There was little strength left in her hands now. “Are you satisfied now, my lord?”

“I have all the time in the world to wait. I had better make sure you are truly dead this time, had I not?”

She could feel strength slipping from her fingers. Her vision began to blur and she would have stumbled forwards, were she not held fast.

Lance calmly stood there, watching. She could envision the look on his face. It would have been the look on hers…!

“All right… you can have it.” She gasped out. Lance whistled several lines of a melody, and the knives flew back to him. She pulled the sheet of paper out of her bodice and handed it to him, her lovely features twisted in rage.

Lance swept her another elegant bow as he placed it within his own doublet and exited the room. As soon as he left, Milady sagged bonelessly to the ground, allowing herself one moment of weakness.

At least her wounds had healed as soon as he left. The man was ruthless, sometimes, and he was powerful…! It was a pity their marriage had not worked out.

Well, it meant little. She could still work things out.

Lance rode through the fields and quietly came to camp with no further trouble. The Cardinal would not know.

Will and Brock were waiting when he returned, worry etched over their faces.

“It is all right.” Lance smiled. “I have the letter.”

They both breathed sighs of relief. It was too late to talk tonight… but tomorrow, they could begin planning.

After all, if Milady were in Houen… it would take a week by boat to get there, at the very fastest. And from that distance, she would have more difficulty striking at them – Red in particular.

They would just have to see.

End Chapter

Completed 6/3/06