by Audiblebeauty
Timeline: Occurs between episodes 14 – 26.
Genre: AU/Action/Adventure
Rating: PG (language and violence)
Warnings: Major spoilers for the series
Chapter One: The Reversal of Fortune"Dilandau."
The youth turned slowly, his eyes searching for Folken. The only thing he saw was his Alseides. A strong breeze played with the red rose in his hand.
Damn that Strategos and his new toy, he thought. Folken had taken the stealth cloaks one step further and was able to move about the Vione unseen if he wished. Where the hell is he?
"Where are the Dragonslayers?" A tall, unmistakable image shimmered in front of the Alseides. Spiky, aqua blue hair moved with the wind. Wine colored eyes regarded the boy below on the crosswalk.
Dilandau looked up as if he were bored. "Those incompetent fools? They're dead."
There was a subtle movement beneath Folken's cape. "Who killed them, Dilandau?"
"The Dragon," Dilandau replied with disgust, as his hand almost crushed the stem of the rose. "They're inept! They just stood there and he…"
"You went against my orders. You led them to their deaths." He paused. "I'm curious as to why your life was spared, Dilandau. Or did you abandon them on your foolish quest?"
The boy retorted with false bravado. "The Dragon lost his nerve and fell."
"The Dragon fell?" Folken asked, incredulously.
Dilandau smirked. "The poor dear was so nervous that he turned black, so I decided to spare his life…this time."
Folken considered this for a moment. His knowledge of the Escaflowne was limited to the notes left by the Dragon Clan and whatever information he could garner during his training in Zaibach. He looked back at the boy. Dilandau had been created to hunt and capture the Dragon. Birds of prey weren't made for cages, and neither was Dilandau. Still, the destruction of the Dragonslayers created a quandary for him.
Folken let out a sigh. "Perhaps you would like to explain this to General Adelphos. I'm sure he would like to know what happened to the Dragonslayers."
Dilandau chuckled. "Adelphos doesn't want to hear what I have to say. I can assure you that none of it would be kind. What was he thinking, building those guymelefs with cheap metal? Do you remove the teeth and claws from a lion and tell it to hunt?"
"Be that as it may, you are not to leave the Vione, unless I ask you to. Undertsand?"
Dilandau nodded.
Strategos disappeared into the shadows.
Albatou watched as Strategos left. "As you wish, Lord Folken," he muttered to himself. Actually, he was amazed that Folken had let him off so lightly. He turned back to look over the railing of the Vione. "Where's the glory in dying like that?" he asked as he tossed the rose overboard.
FlashbackPlease, don't leave me alone!
End flashbackDilandau took in a sharp breath of air.
"All alone," replied Dilandau. He started to cry and rolled against the railing.
Folken observed from a distance. Dilandau's erratic behavior was worsening. The last thing he needed now was an unpredictable soldier. He watched as the boy collapsed and cried. Folken sighed. He would have to speak with Morgreth the Sorcerer about this.