Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
Author's Note: A Preview of Strategos And Sitiah
This is my take on the story of Cleopatra. I've researched her for several years and tried to learn as much as I can. However, researchers still debate on the times and events of the woman's life. This fiction therefore cannot be quoted perfectly accurate. I shall however share information I've learned about Cleopatra the VII to the best of my ability. Please let me know your own opinions of her along the way. Don't hesitate to share information with me that you yourself have seen. If anyone has exceptionally good sources feel free to email me. In the meantime let me warn you that to fit with Escaflowne and place my own creative seal on this fiction, I plan to take as many plot twists as possible, that may or may not be associated to the events in Cleopatra's own life. This fiction is purely for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of other Escaflowne fans. I hope you enjoy it. And so as not to disappoint anyone almost all characters from the series will appear in this fiction. I'm hoping for big support and some new friendship. I'm a big fan of Egyptology, and have studied it for a while, if anyone feels like sharing any obscure info, please email me!
Thank you.
Quick Note: Seducing Setesh is also an Egypt fiction, but may not be continued if it coincides too much with this.
Big Thanks To: Otaku Pitcher and Harmony whose positive reviews of Seducing Setesh inspired me to post this fiction. Thank you so much!
Preview:
What if there was never an emperor by the name of Dornkirk? What if Folken had slain the dragon, becoming King of Fanelia?
Then there would be a different story. And Gaea's history would be much changed, and recorded differently by the philosophers and historians of the Great Age.
Perhaps it would become like a myth, a myth that started with one man and ended with one woman…
Folken Fanel at sixteen years old was a man of great ambition. He had passed all tests, and become ruling King of Fanelia. His legend however did not grow until he marched his army into Asturia with the courage and confidence to conquer it entirely. This boy, turned man, swept through all of Gaea, and with his military strategy and cunning sense brought the countries to their knees under the Fanelian flag. On his way he had acquired vast wealth, military strength, and land. His name was fast becoming a legend as the bards picked up the story of the boy king from a humble nation who had turned the world upside down. Wherever he went, victory followed, as well as fortune and fame. Under his rule he secured alliances with those he'd conquered allowing the leaders to hold their titles, but keeping them under his flag. His petitions for peace became holy edicts in the eyes of those who thought him a god. And his enemies cowered and submitted to his will, bitter in their defeat. His loyal soldiers were placed in every country to keep the peace and insure the security of his won territory. By the age of twenty-three, Folken Lacour De Fanel, was being worshipped as the greatest conqueror to hold Gaea under single power. He was a god to his people. He was the very life of Fanelia.
The Prince of Fanelia was content as a soldier under his brother's command. He was the general over his own division, honored by the titles his brother bestowed upon him. Van Fanel had trained since he was able to hold a sword. A brave and skillful warrior he fought by his brother's side to bring glory to his kingdom. He was as well trained in hand-to-hand combat as he was in melef fighting. With every battle he fought his titles increased as well as the love of his troops. But he was not the only one sweating and toiling to become as great as his brother.
With authority over all military divisions, Dilandau Albatou found himself in constant competition with the Prince. First in training, then on the battlefield, and finally in the Fanelian Court the two struggled to outdo the other. His tact, however, outweighed that of his rival and he was named General of the Fanelian Legions. He was thrust into a military position even higher than the Prince. But still though he had the respect of many of his own troops he was an outsider. Originally from the country known as Zaibach, he was still considered a foreigner, and for that reason he was looked down upon at court. He was given several honors, but it was the Prince who continued to be treated with greater favor. But because he had a desire to be the best at everything, a desire like a consuming flame within, he looked for every way possible for him to gain the favor Van Fanel had cheated him from.
One country stood apart from all the others however. One place as different from Fanelia as night is to day, remained free of Fanelian soldiers. It was secured by an alliance with the Emperor of Fanelia as an independent nation, yet it began to stir with unrest. One woman exiled to the desert of her land, craved her home's complete freedom. She struggled against those of her own blood for a crown that was rightfully hers. And in the hushed desert nights she sat and pondered the key to her success. Her cleverness matched by none she began to see the root of her salvation. Fanelia held the world of Gaea in its hands, and it was those hands that she knew would save her nation from ruin.
The woman's maid meanwhile dreamt of the second moon high in the spaces beyond Gaea's reaches. She'd been told that she'd been called from there to serve the woman who would change Gaea forever. A girl with power she was, and a gift to the incarnation of a goddess to whom she'd been sent. She was not a slave, nor was she free, for her heart spoke to her of the future that she would face with her Queen. Her heart spoke of the trials that she would face, the danger that would nip at her heels wherever she would go, and of the love she would find at the end of the journey. Love was the thing she closed her eyes to dream of in the cool desert nights. One face would bring joy to her dreams like no other, as well as chill her blood like nothing ever had. This beautiful man would bring with him the master of the known world. And for that, she feared him. But with this fear came the desperate want to enfold him in her arms. Dare she dream that this foreigner could love her and accept the fact that she was bound to one that might become his enemy?
AN:
Please review if this fiction seems of interest you. I wish to have your interest before I put great work into this fiction. Let me know what you think. Please review.