The Wizards of Ceres: 12

[mikkeneko]

Title: The Wizards of Ceres, chapter 12 - Old Wounds
Pairing: Kurogane/Fai
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In which Kurogane meets the princess of Ceres, and learns the terrible truth about Fai's past.

Part 1 - Chapter I - Chapter II - Chapter III - Chapter IV - Chapter V
Part 2 - Chapter VI - Chapter VII - Chapter VIII - Chapter IX - Chapter X

Comments

[mikkeneko]

Some things about Fai's original backstory just wouldn't work in this universe, so I had to make changes -- but it'll be a sad story no matter what, poor boy.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

[den_nycia]

I felt bad enough knowing Fai's back story, why'd you have to toss in that awful authors note? LOL, just kidding-it's nice to have that little extra. Reminds me of the footnotes in the Death Gate Cycle books...
I like the way you adapted the cannon Fai story with yours, and the twisty politics that are brought up in this chapter-throughout history royalty in various countries have had many weird traditions, so it makes sense to have odd ones in the story, from Sakura being a 'secret' to outsiders, to everything about Valeria, to Kurogane's offhand thought about history writing off conquests as saving countries.

And again, I ramble. Sorry, the story just gets me so excited.

[mikkeneko]

When it comes to author's notes, I'm never really sure whether to include them in posted chapters or not. Don't know if the readers will be interested in having a look at some of the stuff that didn't make it into the story, or if they just don't care. :) I've considered doing a notes and errata post, but I wouldn't have anywhere to put it really! (As an aside: I loved the death gate cycle books! I didn't think going into it that I would love them so much, but I do :D)

Ashura actually has a very good reason to want to keep Sakura secret from outsiders, although he's not about to tell Kurogane what it is. Let's just say there's a reason someone has been trying to get a magical spy inside the court at Ceres for years. ;)

[shadow_of_egypt]

Slow!comment is painfully, awfully, incredibly slow. (Sorry.)

I like your Ashura, I really do. Even in the same way he was listing off the many things Fai is to him you could see that reflected in himself - he's just so human, and yet Authority all the same.

Aside from alternatively wanting to hug most of the characters in this chapter....one thing made me wonder, especially with the age-difference between Sakura and Fai. Fai would've been established as quasi-heir long, long before Sakura was thought of - whatever happened to the Queen? (Assuming there was one, of course.)

[mikkeneko]

I have the feeling that the story of Ashura's marriage to the queen, the birth of Sakura and the queen's death, must have been a very interesting story, especially considering what she is and how late in life Ashura married. I just don't know all the details myself! :) But the relevant detail to your question is that although Fai has long been acknowledged as an unofficial heir, for various political reasons he could never be officially named as heir. He was never legally adopted as Ashura's son; he was just his ward. Ashura has been pretty lax about ensuring or clarifying the line of succession in Ceres, partly because of his supreme arrogance that he'll live for a very long time.

I'm glad you enjoyed the new chapter! The next one should be ready soon -- this weekend I hope!

[gingerbreadmoon]

I've just spent 2 hours that should have been spent working reading this X3 I love your writing style, it's wonderfully gripping and you characterise Fai and Kurogane well. I'm really enjoying the world you've created too; it's bleak but really thought out and detailed.

[mikkeneko]

I should apologize for distracting you from your work... but I'm not really sorry. ^_~ I'm just glad you've been enjoying the story and the world! Does it really seem that bleak? Oh, well, it isn't usually -- but it's winter now and in the middle of a war, so that tends to highlight the more depressing elements. Most of the time it's as beautiful a world as ours!

[thewindsbride]

yuuuu~~~ Kurogane meeting Sakura was so sweet :33