Prologue - Joshou
Dilandau Albatou sat brooding on his throne, flanked by his Dragon Slayers.
All of them, except one.
With an enraged cry the pale youth lashed out at a bottle of wine, causing it to fly from the table. Several of the nearer Dragon Slayers flinched.
Clearly, he was not in a good mood.
'Excuse me, Master Dilandau. I have a message from Lord Folken,' a voice stated bluntly through the quiet atmosphere. Dilandau glared moodily at the Dragon Slayer in front of him.
'Read it,' he ordered shortly, his words biting.
'Sir!' The subordinate, a handsome boy named Gatti, said as he unrolled the parchment and read. 'A suitable replacement for Migel Labariel has been found.'
Dilandau's lip curled into a snarl. It was not that long ago that he had lost his best Slayer to that damned Doppelganger. Dilandau had killed the creature, yes; Lord Folken had been quite...displeased at losing the thing.
But killing the Doppelganger Zonghi wasn't sufficient enough. Migel could never be replaced, especially not by some boy handpicked from who knows where.
Dilandau stood up and stalked towards the messenger.
'And when is this replacement to arrive?' he inquired softly. Gatti knew by Dilandau's tone that he was in danger of being struck.
'He has already arrived, and awaits your summons,' Gatti looked up from the parchment as a hand came flying at his cheek. Dilandau flexed his fingers, his anger slightly subdued.
'And what is this boy's name?' he hissed. Gatti paused for a moment, wincing as the stinging sensation in the side of his face slowly melted into pins and needles. His grey eyes glanced down at the writing, and picked up the name almost instantly.
'Shantian. Shantian Namuriel.'