Chapter 1: Divine Intervention.
AN: Hello all! I hope that this is long enough for you all; because I know I've kept you waiting a while. Sorry about that lol. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter of the first book, *blushes* you're so nice!
There will be about fifteen chapters in this book and I'm already planning the next book so have no fear 'cos 'Infestation' will be around for a while yet lol.
So with out further adieu let the chapter begin! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
The castle of Fanelia was never as extravagantly decorated as Austria's palace, and never as well defended as the temple at Fortona, but it was a sight to behold none the less. Looming grey stonewalls sprang up from the grassy hill it rested upon and ironclad gratings outlined small balconies originating beneath every other bedroom window.
Inside, floors of polished wood reflected wall side firelight, allowing playful shadows to dance along the corridors. During the day, no matter your location within the great construction, echoing footsteps of hurrying servants or rough speaking guards could be heard, giving the impression that one was never really alone within in the house of Fanelia's king.
~~~~~
Hitomi was so frustrated that she almost let an angry growl irrupt from the back of her throat as yet another carefree 'royal' passed by her. 'This is getting a little annoying.' She complained mentally, ducking behind a massive, rust smelling suit of silvered armour.
Getting into Fanelia's castle hadn't been that much hassle, locating the whereabouts of her friends was a simple matter of picturing them in her mind. But the act of actually getting to where they were, had turned out to be just a little more difficult. She cursed inwardly as she moved around a corner and straight into a big problem.
~~~~~
Inside the main hall inside Fanelia's castle, loud, angered voices rose and echoed throughout the great room.
''You fools! This problem wont just go away if you ignore it!''
''Your majesty, with all due respect, in political matters such as these Fanelia's advisers are better equipped to deal with such things.''
''With all due respect, Master Ordin, Fanelia's advisers are no better equipped to deal with this matter than fish out of water!''
The bickering came to a halt when Folken Fanel, Fanelia's king, rose from his seat and spoke to the now silent assembly. ''This matter will not be solved through mindless quarrelling.'' His deep orbs shifted momentarily to his younger brother, and then to his chief adviser Ordin. ''I think it's time for a short recess.''
No sooner had the words left his lips, the hall was, as if by magic, overrun by maids carrying wines and small appetisers, all placed elegantly on silver platters. Those who had grown tired of trying to get a word in edge ways, welcomed the distraction eagerly, and soon no one was left sitting at the large mahogany table. Groups of three or four chattering persons were scattered throughout the hall and though the tense atmosphere was still very much there, it was a little less dense.
Master Ordin was a middle-aged man of about forty years. The slicked back grey hair that adorned his head, however, betrayed his real age. His greyish blue eyes lingered on Fanelia's youngest prince long after they had both moved away from the table. Ordin's fists clenched tightly under the long midnight blue cloak that concealed his muscular figure. An old man he may be, he thought slyly as his orbs finally left the mess of raven hair and gazed down upon the minister he was currently talking with, but you should never judge a book by its cover.
The other side of the expanse Van approached his elder brother with blazing eyes. ''Are you out of your mind!'' He hissed under his breath as Folken turned to him in recognition.
''Brother,'' Folken started slowly, he knew Van to well to try to go over the hotheadedness that always accompanied his anger. ''They offer suggestions; they do not dictate my rule. I trust their opinions, just like father did.''
Van couldn't help but flinch when their parentage was mentioned, but spoke up again no the less. ''Tell me brother, how can you trust the opinions of men that keep their hands in their pockets and their eyes to the ground. They no nothing of Fanelia's pain!''
Folken sighed slightly and rested a pale hand on Van's blue and black armoured shoulder. ''Please brother,'' he spoke softly, willing Van to calm down, ''I trust them.'' Van shot an angry look in Ordin's direction but said nothing further as a rosy-cheeked servant girl approached them, two crystal glasses filled with crimson liquor in her hands.
The great hall in Fanelia's castle was placed, rather deliberately in it's making, near the front of the castle, allowing whoever was inside to view the capital city and the forestry beyond. Massive plain glass windows, placed evenly along the wall overlooking the incredible scenery, dimmed slightly in the retreating light as the sun began its slow trek beyond the pink tinted horizon.
Dilandau Albatou stood at the foot of one of these great windows and allowed his gaze to skim over the sight that was Fanelia's capital. From where he was he could easily make out the market place packing up for the night. He estimated the time at about seven in the evening. It had been a hell of a long day.
Glancing quickly over at his slayers he noticed the almost bored expressions that had slowly become more apparent on their faces during the course of the meeting. He smirked slightly before turning back to the open expanse before him. His men could never hide their true emotions for very long.
He was almost surprised at himself when his found his eyes had narrowed into slits and were positively glaring that the glass before him. Why the hell was he in here anyway? Dilandau Albatou was no politician, quite the opposite in fact; way reason with a man when you could simply slit his throat? A small, almost non-existent sigh left his lips and for a brief moment, he wondered what the town girl was doing. Was Hitomi looking at the sunset too? The thought was banished from his tried mind all to soon, as a glass of liquor was offered to him.
~~~~~
Naria and Eriya both looked at the young woman before them with equal confusion. ''Why are you out here girl?'' Naria questioned, her confused expression turning into one of suspicion. ''You should be in there serving with the others.'' She continued, flicking away a few strands of golden coloured hair that had fallen into her face as she gazed down slightly.
Hitomi couldn't help it, obviously her time with the red-eyed commander had had a influence on her, and the smirk was upon her lips before she had time to control it. ''I am no maid.'' She said, her smirk betraying her tone of indifference.
Eriya stood in front of her sister protectively, ''then why do you grace us with your presence?'' She questioned, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
''I'm going in there.'' Hitomi answered, her smirk turning into a playful grin as she motioned to the looming double doors, which the cat women were guarding.
''His majesty Lord Folken, king of all Fanelia is in conference. You may not enter.'' Was the reply she received, shortly followed by a threatening look from Naria.
''I am well aware of that,'' Hitomi started in an over confident tone; well over confident in the twin's opinion. ''I would speak with him, and you would be wise
not to interfere.''
The fight had started the moment the words left Hitomi's lips.
~~~~~
The noise was shaken off as a clumsy maid at first. With the recess over all members of the circular discussion were eager to get things over with and come to a decision before the sunset and more pleasurable things were to be attended to. Moments after the initial disturbance hoverer, another loud smash had irrupted from behind the meeting hall's entrance and a few paranoid advisors were already out of their seats in fear. Folken raised his eyebrows when a small, almost squeak like sound echoed from beyond the doors and directed his gaze to his younger brother, who looked equally perplexed.
Dilandau, getting very annoyed very quickly, also rose, but instead of inching towards the opposite end of the room, marched towards the doors ready to fling them open and shout loudly at whoever lay the other side. Unfortunately, the crimson-orbed young man never got the chance to release the frustration that had been building up since the beginning of the day.
The huge oak doors crashed open by some incredible unknown force, sending some of the more jittery members of the hall into a state of very un-politician like panic.
Dilandau watched, almost amused, as one of the kings personal guard cats, as he had so affectionately named them, flew into the room with a yell of anguish and slid into the opposite wall upon impacting with the floor. As Folken rose immediately to investigate, her sister, was seemly thrown in the same fashion, and landed rather unceremoniously next to her twin. Moaning was accompanied by a few well-muttered curses as their attacker entered the hushed room.
''I can't say that I'm impressed with his majesties choice of personal guard.'' Hitomi announced as she entered lazily through the doors just before they rebounded of the walls for a third time and slammed shut behind her.
Dilandau struggled very hard not to pounce on the younger teen and never let go. His poor substitute for the act of affection was to simply allow a smirk of his own to grace his ivory features.
''Welcome back town girl.''
AN: Hello all! I hope that this is long enough for you all; because I know I've kept you waiting a while. Sorry about that lol. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter of the first book, *blushes* you're so nice!
There will be about fifteen chapters in this book and I'm already planning the next book so have no fear 'cos 'Infestation' will be around for a while yet lol.
So with out further adieu let the chapter begin! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.
The castle of Fanelia was never as extravagantly decorated as Austria's palace, and never as well defended as the temple at Fortona, but it was a sight to behold none the less. Looming grey stonewalls sprang up from the grassy hill it rested upon and ironclad gratings outlined small balconies originating beneath every other bedroom window.
Inside, floors of polished wood reflected wall side firelight, allowing playful shadows to dance along the corridors. During the day, no matter your location within the great construction, echoing footsteps of hurrying servants or rough speaking guards could be heard, giving the impression that one was never really alone within in the house of Fanelia's king.
~~~~~
Hitomi was so frustrated that she almost let an angry growl irrupt from the back of her throat as yet another carefree 'royal' passed by her. 'This is getting a little annoying.' She complained mentally, ducking behind a massive, rust smelling suit of silvered armour.
Getting into Fanelia's castle hadn't been that much hassle, locating the whereabouts of her friends was a simple matter of picturing them in her mind. But the act of actually getting to where they were, had turned out to be just a little more difficult. She cursed inwardly as she moved around a corner and straight into a big problem.
~~~~~
Inside the main hall inside Fanelia's castle, loud, angered voices rose and echoed throughout the great room.
''You fools! This problem wont just go away if you ignore it!''
''Your majesty, with all due respect, in political matters such as these Fanelia's advisers are better equipped to deal with such things.''
''With all due respect, Master Ordin, Fanelia's advisers are no better equipped to deal with this matter than fish out of water!''
The bickering came to a halt when Folken Fanel, Fanelia's king, rose from his seat and spoke to the now silent assembly. ''This matter will not be solved through mindless quarrelling.'' His deep orbs shifted momentarily to his younger brother, and then to his chief adviser Ordin. ''I think it's time for a short recess.''
No sooner had the words left his lips, the hall was, as if by magic, overrun by maids carrying wines and small appetisers, all placed elegantly on silver platters. Those who had grown tired of trying to get a word in edge ways, welcomed the distraction eagerly, and soon no one was left sitting at the large mahogany table. Groups of three or four chattering persons were scattered throughout the hall and though the tense atmosphere was still very much there, it was a little less dense.
Master Ordin was a middle-aged man of about forty years. The slicked back grey hair that adorned his head, however, betrayed his real age. His greyish blue eyes lingered on Fanelia's youngest prince long after they had both moved away from the table. Ordin's fists clenched tightly under the long midnight blue cloak that concealed his muscular figure. An old man he may be, he thought slyly as his orbs finally left the mess of raven hair and gazed down upon the minister he was currently talking with, but you should never judge a book by its cover.
The other side of the expanse Van approached his elder brother with blazing eyes. ''Are you out of your mind!'' He hissed under his breath as Folken turned to him in recognition.
''Brother,'' Folken started slowly, he knew Van to well to try to go over the hotheadedness that always accompanied his anger. ''They offer suggestions; they do not dictate my rule. I trust their opinions, just like father did.''
Van couldn't help but flinch when their parentage was mentioned, but spoke up again no the less. ''Tell me brother, how can you trust the opinions of men that keep their hands in their pockets and their eyes to the ground. They no nothing of Fanelia's pain!''
Folken sighed slightly and rested a pale hand on Van's blue and black armoured shoulder. ''Please brother,'' he spoke softly, willing Van to calm down, ''I trust them.'' Van shot an angry look in Ordin's direction but said nothing further as a rosy-cheeked servant girl approached them, two crystal glasses filled with crimson liquor in her hands.
The great hall in Fanelia's castle was placed, rather deliberately in it's making, near the front of the castle, allowing whoever was inside to view the capital city and the forestry beyond. Massive plain glass windows, placed evenly along the wall overlooking the incredible scenery, dimmed slightly in the retreating light as the sun began its slow trek beyond the pink tinted horizon.
Dilandau Albatou stood at the foot of one of these great windows and allowed his gaze to skim over the sight that was Fanelia's capital. From where he was he could easily make out the market place packing up for the night. He estimated the time at about seven in the evening. It had been a hell of a long day.
Glancing quickly over at his slayers he noticed the almost bored expressions that had slowly become more apparent on their faces during the course of the meeting. He smirked slightly before turning back to the open expanse before him. His men could never hide their true emotions for very long.
He was almost surprised at himself when his found his eyes had narrowed into slits and were positively glaring that the glass before him. Why the hell was he in here anyway? Dilandau Albatou was no politician, quite the opposite in fact; way reason with a man when you could simply slit his throat? A small, almost non-existent sigh left his lips and for a brief moment, he wondered what the town girl was doing. Was Hitomi looking at the sunset too? The thought was banished from his tried mind all to soon, as a glass of liquor was offered to him.
~~~~~
Naria and Eriya both looked at the young woman before them with equal confusion. ''Why are you out here girl?'' Naria questioned, her confused expression turning into one of suspicion. ''You should be in there serving with the others.'' She continued, flicking away a few strands of golden coloured hair that had fallen into her face as she gazed down slightly.
Hitomi couldn't help it, obviously her time with the red-eyed commander had had a influence on her, and the smirk was upon her lips before she had time to control it. ''I am no maid.'' She said, her smirk betraying her tone of indifference.
Eriya stood in front of her sister protectively, ''then why do you grace us with your presence?'' She questioned, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
''I'm going in there.'' Hitomi answered, her smirk turning into a playful grin as she motioned to the looming double doors, which the cat women were guarding.
''His majesty Lord Folken, king of all Fanelia is in conference. You may not enter.'' Was the reply she received, shortly followed by a threatening look from Naria.
''I am well aware of that,'' Hitomi started in an over confident tone; well over confident in the twin's opinion. ''I would speak with him, and you would be wise
not to interfere.''
The fight had started the moment the words left Hitomi's lips.
~~~~~
The noise was shaken off as a clumsy maid at first. With the recess over all members of the circular discussion were eager to get things over with and come to a decision before the sunset and more pleasurable things were to be attended to. Moments after the initial disturbance hoverer, another loud smash had irrupted from behind the meeting hall's entrance and a few paranoid advisors were already out of their seats in fear. Folken raised his eyebrows when a small, almost squeak like sound echoed from beyond the doors and directed his gaze to his younger brother, who looked equally perplexed.
Dilandau, getting very annoyed very quickly, also rose, but instead of inching towards the opposite end of the room, marched towards the doors ready to fling them open and shout loudly at whoever lay the other side. Unfortunately, the crimson-orbed young man never got the chance to release the frustration that had been building up since the beginning of the day.
The huge oak doors crashed open by some incredible unknown force, sending some of the more jittery members of the hall into a state of very un-politician like panic.
Dilandau watched, almost amused, as one of the kings personal guard cats, as he had so affectionately named them, flew into the room with a yell of anguish and slid into the opposite wall upon impacting with the floor. As Folken rose immediately to investigate, her sister, was seemly thrown in the same fashion, and landed rather unceremoniously next to her twin. Moaning was accompanied by a few well-muttered curses as their attacker entered the hushed room.
''I can't say that I'm impressed with his majesties choice of personal guard.'' Hitomi announced as she entered lazily through the doors just before they rebounded of the walls for a third time and slammed shut behind her.
Dilandau struggled very hard not to pounce on the younger teen and never let go. His poor substitute for the act of affection was to simply allow a smirk of his own to grace his ivory features.
''Welcome back town girl.''