**Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne in any way, just my own custom
characters and I'm definitely not making any profit from writing this
story. **
(Author's Note: Please keep in mind that I don't know everything there is to know about Draconians and I may get some things wrong about them. This is just how I would picture their society being as. Now on to the fic ^_^)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A hard cuff on my ear jerked me awake from my restless dreams.
In the early morning sunlight that was streaming through the open windows of my room, I could make out the form of a rather sturdy looking woman by my bedside. Repressing a groan, I tumbled out from my comfortable bed, mentally wincing for any lectures that were sure to come my way for sleeping in so late that morning.
After a long moment of silence, I dared to shoot a glance at the stern woman out of the corner of one eye. Her mouth was drawn into a wire-thin line and her brown eyes were anything but warm. Her long blond hair was drawn tightly up and pinned securely down with expensive ornaments that were all so against the typical style of late for women. The clothes she wore were well made, but very plain and obviously conservative.
Yet it was the heartless look in Ritsuko's eyes at the moment that drew the most attention to her appearance and, as usual, sent a small shiver down my back. Something about that woman didn't feel right to me.. but of course no one would listen to any of my complaints.
"Raeka," Ritsuko spat the name out like it was too filthy to linger on her tongue. "I expect you to be downstairs shortly. Those chores aren't going to do themselves now are they?"
I blinked in surprise. What, no lecture? No cruel words or even crueler blows? Surprise turned to suspicion as I watched her walk out of my room and heard her heavy footsteps moving down the stairs.
Still feeling a little bewildered, I shook my head once, just to clear my thoughts, and then hurriedly went about to get ready for the day.
A set of clean white robes had already been laid out carefully the night before on the back of one of my chairs. I shrugged on the garment and tightly wrapped the sash about my waist. I only spared a moment to stand before the small mirror propped up against one wall. Raking a brush through my tangle of midnight black hair, my own light green eyes gave a brief, if not critical, analysis over my appearance. Deciding that I did the best I could in a rush, I gently closed the door behind me and then nearly tore down the stairs.
It was strange for the house to feel so empty, but what had I expected? After all, my father had already gone to serve the Council this morning and my brothers all had jobs.
I paused down in the living room, unsure whether to head into the kitchen where I was sure to find leftovers from the morning's meal or just go straight out the door and on to my chores for the day. I heard a loud clatter in the kitchen and several curses being muttered. Quietly walking up to the arch of the doorway, I peered carefully around the corner. Ritsuko had apparently knocked down a pile of pots and pans that had been arranged rather haphazardly on top of a table the day before. Seeing her black mood was nastier than usual, I decided that breakfast wasn't worth having to deal with that monster of a woman to get at it. I crept just as silently as I had come and when I was out of her range of hearing, practically ran to the front door, grabbing a small pack lying down on the floor next to it.
Once the door closed shut behind me and I was standing out in the bright street, I sighed.
Seventeen years old and afraid of a woman like that.
Shaking my head in disgust at my cowardice, I shouldered the little purse and took a brief moment to look around my home city.
The place was huge, no doubt about that. I had lived here all of my life and even I hadn't seen it all. All around me were pleasant looking homes in white or dull silver. Many public buildings were made up of sparkling white marble and grand stone pillars. If there was one thing about this place, it was a marvelous piece of art and had a certain air of greatness about it. All the people here could be mistaken for nobility with their high airs and well groomed appearances. Of course not everyone was a noble- those privileged few lived up on the higher planes of the city, away from everyone else.
"Hey Raeka!" came a shout from above.
Blinking up at the sky while shading my eyes from the blinding light above, I saw a small figure sail by, white wings gleaming in the sunlight.
A grin broke across my face as I offered a small, but enthusiastic wave back as he flew by on his way to doing his own errands.
Little Rezu looked innocent for a seven year old with his big blue eyes and easy going smile, but the boy was well known for his impish personality. Luckily he hadn't picked me for the target of his pranks this morning and simply breezed right past.
It wasn't unusual that at any given time of the day when you looked to the sky to see hundreds of winged figures flying high above, going about their business and life. I was more than used to such things... everyone pretty much was. Only the very oldest of my people could ever remember a time when we hadn't had our noble wings and arrogant temperament.
Yet I was jostled from my thoughts as I nearly was run over by a man driving a heavy looking cart along the road. Quickly getting out from the middle of the busy pathway, I started to walk on the little white brick side street alongside the houses. Flying had its advantages, true, but sometimes I enjoyed just walking to the main market, saying hello to the people I knew as I went.
As the sun drew higher up into the sky and I had just decided to take a break at my usual spot, a quaint little temple just off to the side, I had to stop in the middle of my tracks, mouth hanging ever so slightly open in shock as the structure finally came into view. Running toward the temple, struggling against the heavy robes I wore, I tried to get a better look. Surely this couldn't be happening! I skidded to a halt a few feet away from it.
A handful of noble men stood gathered outside of the temple, pointing every now and then at some places, all nodding their heads in agreement about something. My heart grew cold and my hands began to shake a little. There was only one reason why the nobles would come down here...
To stable my quivering body, I grasped the folds of my robe tightly and took in one deep breath. What I was about to do was very stupid...
"Excuse me your Lordships.."
My words broke up their conversation as a few of them looked curiously my way while others just looked annoyed.
Figuring out that they weren't about to address me in any way, I continued on, praying offhand for some courage.
"If I may be so bold Lords, you aren't planning to remove this temple...are you?"
I was horrified to find that my voice, which was usually so calm and low, sounded young and childish.
One sneered down at me, earning my instant dislike.
"Who are you girl to question our will?"
My cheeks flamed red at that jab. He was right of course, I wasn't of noble blood and had no official rank. Ritsoku would be furious with me if she ever found out that I been acting so frank with my betters..
Not missing the blush, another, kinder looking man glanced at me apologetically.
"Sorry little miss, but orders of the High Council. We're going to need the room soon and this really serves no purpose here."
My mouth hung open again, more to my disgust. When would I be able to stop acting like such a child in front of these men?
"Serves no purpose Lord? It is a temple for the people to come worship at, how is that not a purpose?"
The sneering one scowled deeply in my direction.
"Gods, girl? They are nothing but legends and rubbish, so what would be the purpose of worshipping them? You'll find all through out the city the same is happening. They are just frivolous ideals of very little worth when after all we have far surpassed them in every manner and way."
Forgetting my place completely, my green eyes growing dark with anger, I took a step towards them.
"How can you say that! How can you stand before me and declare yourselves greater than the ones that created you?!"
"I think you should leave now child," his voice rang out coldly. "If you do so, I won't consider pursuing this matter any more."
The man lifted one finely arched eyebrow arrogantly, knowing full well that he could have me arrested and was obviously smug in knowing such.
Glaring, I finally found my voice again within my anger.
"Don't bother, your Lordships," I nearly spat out.
Had my society finally came to this? Turning their backs on all that made them who they were?
Giving a small, jerky bow, I turned away from them and shortly heard their conversations strike up again.
So my words had little effect on them after all.. the thought saddened me somewhat but it was after all to be expected. I was of small worth to the likes of them.
When I thought myself far enough away from them I surveyed my fellow Draconians carefully as they passed by the site. To my ultimate surprise, many hurriedly walked by, refusing to look at the scene in front of them. Others stared openly, simply shrugged and went about their lives.
So it just wasn't the nobles then that were turning their backs on their culture. Everyone else was as well. Why hadn't I noticed this earlier?
Next thing I'd know, they'd probably cut down the gigantic and beautiful tree that stood high above the rest of the city as a monument said to have been planted by the very first citizens of the town, all to make more room for these strange experiments the High Council was working on. Rumors were circulating that they were able to now create things from human thought. I gave an unlady-like snort of disbelief.
What a foolish idea.
Feeling like my entire day had just been about ruined before it had even begun in the first place, I decided to take to the air so I could hurry and finish up my chores.
I felt no pain as my great snow-white wings unfolded from my back and out of the slits specially made for them in the tunic of my robes. With one forceful thrust from the ground, I was air borne. Gently giving my wings a flap every once in awhile, I mostly rode on the brisk air currents that flowed non stop over the city. It wasn't long before I spotted the large wide-open area of the market where it was already brimming with morning shoppers and sellers.
Allowing myself to lose altitude, I pulled my wings back to land. When my slippered feet at last touched firm ground, I retracted my wings with another sigh. I seemed to be full of those this morning.
Feeling an odd, mind-numbing headache begin to start in, I took a shaky step forward. The ground felt like it was moving beneath my feet and the crowd began to swim before my eyes. I let out a low groan as I reached a trembling hand to touch my forehead. What was happening? I never got headaches...
Unknown to me, a small crowd had gathered around me, giving me looks of concern and wonder. I, however, was trapped in a personal hell..
It was as if I had suddenly become both blind and deaf at the same instant, stuck in a world where there was quite simply nothing. No touch, sound, light... Only an everlasting darkness. My lips parted to scream but the sound was silenced the instant I spoke it.
Then the fire began.
Where it had once been dark, the area was now brightly lit with crackling flames, all reaching hungrily for me. I tried to run but my feet somehow formed a mind of their own and stayed firmly planted on the ground. I could only watch in horror as the heat and flames crawled closer until finally they grabbed on to my robes. This time my screams could be heard ringing out in my burning prison.
Just when I thought I was going to die, I heard a loud crack and my mind and body went shockingly numb..
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
**Please review! Positive feedback is always welcome along with any other comments ^^ I'll continue the story if enough people seem to be interested in it. **
~Esca Angel7
(Author's Note: Please keep in mind that I don't know everything there is to know about Draconians and I may get some things wrong about them. This is just how I would picture their society being as. Now on to the fic ^_^)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A hard cuff on my ear jerked me awake from my restless dreams.
In the early morning sunlight that was streaming through the open windows of my room, I could make out the form of a rather sturdy looking woman by my bedside. Repressing a groan, I tumbled out from my comfortable bed, mentally wincing for any lectures that were sure to come my way for sleeping in so late that morning.
After a long moment of silence, I dared to shoot a glance at the stern woman out of the corner of one eye. Her mouth was drawn into a wire-thin line and her brown eyes were anything but warm. Her long blond hair was drawn tightly up and pinned securely down with expensive ornaments that were all so against the typical style of late for women. The clothes she wore were well made, but very plain and obviously conservative.
Yet it was the heartless look in Ritsuko's eyes at the moment that drew the most attention to her appearance and, as usual, sent a small shiver down my back. Something about that woman didn't feel right to me.. but of course no one would listen to any of my complaints.
"Raeka," Ritsuko spat the name out like it was too filthy to linger on her tongue. "I expect you to be downstairs shortly. Those chores aren't going to do themselves now are they?"
I blinked in surprise. What, no lecture? No cruel words or even crueler blows? Surprise turned to suspicion as I watched her walk out of my room and heard her heavy footsteps moving down the stairs.
Still feeling a little bewildered, I shook my head once, just to clear my thoughts, and then hurriedly went about to get ready for the day.
A set of clean white robes had already been laid out carefully the night before on the back of one of my chairs. I shrugged on the garment and tightly wrapped the sash about my waist. I only spared a moment to stand before the small mirror propped up against one wall. Raking a brush through my tangle of midnight black hair, my own light green eyes gave a brief, if not critical, analysis over my appearance. Deciding that I did the best I could in a rush, I gently closed the door behind me and then nearly tore down the stairs.
It was strange for the house to feel so empty, but what had I expected? After all, my father had already gone to serve the Council this morning and my brothers all had jobs.
I paused down in the living room, unsure whether to head into the kitchen where I was sure to find leftovers from the morning's meal or just go straight out the door and on to my chores for the day. I heard a loud clatter in the kitchen and several curses being muttered. Quietly walking up to the arch of the doorway, I peered carefully around the corner. Ritsuko had apparently knocked down a pile of pots and pans that had been arranged rather haphazardly on top of a table the day before. Seeing her black mood was nastier than usual, I decided that breakfast wasn't worth having to deal with that monster of a woman to get at it. I crept just as silently as I had come and when I was out of her range of hearing, practically ran to the front door, grabbing a small pack lying down on the floor next to it.
Once the door closed shut behind me and I was standing out in the bright street, I sighed.
Seventeen years old and afraid of a woman like that.
Shaking my head in disgust at my cowardice, I shouldered the little purse and took a brief moment to look around my home city.
The place was huge, no doubt about that. I had lived here all of my life and even I hadn't seen it all. All around me were pleasant looking homes in white or dull silver. Many public buildings were made up of sparkling white marble and grand stone pillars. If there was one thing about this place, it was a marvelous piece of art and had a certain air of greatness about it. All the people here could be mistaken for nobility with their high airs and well groomed appearances. Of course not everyone was a noble- those privileged few lived up on the higher planes of the city, away from everyone else.
"Hey Raeka!" came a shout from above.
Blinking up at the sky while shading my eyes from the blinding light above, I saw a small figure sail by, white wings gleaming in the sunlight.
A grin broke across my face as I offered a small, but enthusiastic wave back as he flew by on his way to doing his own errands.
Little Rezu looked innocent for a seven year old with his big blue eyes and easy going smile, but the boy was well known for his impish personality. Luckily he hadn't picked me for the target of his pranks this morning and simply breezed right past.
It wasn't unusual that at any given time of the day when you looked to the sky to see hundreds of winged figures flying high above, going about their business and life. I was more than used to such things... everyone pretty much was. Only the very oldest of my people could ever remember a time when we hadn't had our noble wings and arrogant temperament.
Yet I was jostled from my thoughts as I nearly was run over by a man driving a heavy looking cart along the road. Quickly getting out from the middle of the busy pathway, I started to walk on the little white brick side street alongside the houses. Flying had its advantages, true, but sometimes I enjoyed just walking to the main market, saying hello to the people I knew as I went.
As the sun drew higher up into the sky and I had just decided to take a break at my usual spot, a quaint little temple just off to the side, I had to stop in the middle of my tracks, mouth hanging ever so slightly open in shock as the structure finally came into view. Running toward the temple, struggling against the heavy robes I wore, I tried to get a better look. Surely this couldn't be happening! I skidded to a halt a few feet away from it.
A handful of noble men stood gathered outside of the temple, pointing every now and then at some places, all nodding their heads in agreement about something. My heart grew cold and my hands began to shake a little. There was only one reason why the nobles would come down here...
To stable my quivering body, I grasped the folds of my robe tightly and took in one deep breath. What I was about to do was very stupid...
"Excuse me your Lordships.."
My words broke up their conversation as a few of them looked curiously my way while others just looked annoyed.
Figuring out that they weren't about to address me in any way, I continued on, praying offhand for some courage.
"If I may be so bold Lords, you aren't planning to remove this temple...are you?"
I was horrified to find that my voice, which was usually so calm and low, sounded young and childish.
One sneered down at me, earning my instant dislike.
"Who are you girl to question our will?"
My cheeks flamed red at that jab. He was right of course, I wasn't of noble blood and had no official rank. Ritsoku would be furious with me if she ever found out that I been acting so frank with my betters..
Not missing the blush, another, kinder looking man glanced at me apologetically.
"Sorry little miss, but orders of the High Council. We're going to need the room soon and this really serves no purpose here."
My mouth hung open again, more to my disgust. When would I be able to stop acting like such a child in front of these men?
"Serves no purpose Lord? It is a temple for the people to come worship at, how is that not a purpose?"
The sneering one scowled deeply in my direction.
"Gods, girl? They are nothing but legends and rubbish, so what would be the purpose of worshipping them? You'll find all through out the city the same is happening. They are just frivolous ideals of very little worth when after all we have far surpassed them in every manner and way."
Forgetting my place completely, my green eyes growing dark with anger, I took a step towards them.
"How can you say that! How can you stand before me and declare yourselves greater than the ones that created you?!"
"I think you should leave now child," his voice rang out coldly. "If you do so, I won't consider pursuing this matter any more."
The man lifted one finely arched eyebrow arrogantly, knowing full well that he could have me arrested and was obviously smug in knowing such.
Glaring, I finally found my voice again within my anger.
"Don't bother, your Lordships," I nearly spat out.
Had my society finally came to this? Turning their backs on all that made them who they were?
Giving a small, jerky bow, I turned away from them and shortly heard their conversations strike up again.
So my words had little effect on them after all.. the thought saddened me somewhat but it was after all to be expected. I was of small worth to the likes of them.
When I thought myself far enough away from them I surveyed my fellow Draconians carefully as they passed by the site. To my ultimate surprise, many hurriedly walked by, refusing to look at the scene in front of them. Others stared openly, simply shrugged and went about their lives.
So it just wasn't the nobles then that were turning their backs on their culture. Everyone else was as well. Why hadn't I noticed this earlier?
Next thing I'd know, they'd probably cut down the gigantic and beautiful tree that stood high above the rest of the city as a monument said to have been planted by the very first citizens of the town, all to make more room for these strange experiments the High Council was working on. Rumors were circulating that they were able to now create things from human thought. I gave an unlady-like snort of disbelief.
What a foolish idea.
Feeling like my entire day had just been about ruined before it had even begun in the first place, I decided to take to the air so I could hurry and finish up my chores.
I felt no pain as my great snow-white wings unfolded from my back and out of the slits specially made for them in the tunic of my robes. With one forceful thrust from the ground, I was air borne. Gently giving my wings a flap every once in awhile, I mostly rode on the brisk air currents that flowed non stop over the city. It wasn't long before I spotted the large wide-open area of the market where it was already brimming with morning shoppers and sellers.
Allowing myself to lose altitude, I pulled my wings back to land. When my slippered feet at last touched firm ground, I retracted my wings with another sigh. I seemed to be full of those this morning.
Feeling an odd, mind-numbing headache begin to start in, I took a shaky step forward. The ground felt like it was moving beneath my feet and the crowd began to swim before my eyes. I let out a low groan as I reached a trembling hand to touch my forehead. What was happening? I never got headaches...
Unknown to me, a small crowd had gathered around me, giving me looks of concern and wonder. I, however, was trapped in a personal hell..
It was as if I had suddenly become both blind and deaf at the same instant, stuck in a world where there was quite simply nothing. No touch, sound, light... Only an everlasting darkness. My lips parted to scream but the sound was silenced the instant I spoke it.
Then the fire began.
Where it had once been dark, the area was now brightly lit with crackling flames, all reaching hungrily for me. I tried to run but my feet somehow formed a mind of their own and stayed firmly planted on the ground. I could only watch in horror as the heat and flames crawled closer until finally they grabbed on to my robes. This time my screams could be heard ringing out in my burning prison.
Just when I thought I was going to die, I heard a loud crack and my mind and body went shockingly numb..
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
**Please review! Positive feedback is always welcome along with any other comments ^^ I'll continue the story if enough people seem to be interested in it. **
~Esca Angel7