Ollen70: This was supposed to be longer and a little clearer, but if you don't think things are sufficiently explained here, they will be by the next chapter. As always, thanks again to everybody for your excellent reviews!
To Macky: I hope this answers your question somewhat. I don't think this is quite what you were expecting, but I hope you like it anyway. It'll definitely be a different interpretation, at any rate.
Disclaimer: If I didn't own Escaflowne eight chapters ago, I don't own it now.
Chapter Nine - - Reappearances
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The guymelef carried them without incident into the bordering forests of Palas. Allen refused to even consider facing the gates to the city, and Merle didn't blame him. But, preferences aside, they needed a way in. If diplomacy wouldn't carry them through, they needed another way.
The forests, according to Allen, were easier to slip through because they were rarely patrolled. There was a short, outer wall bordering the forest and the houses of the nobles, but it was nothing they couldn't overcome. Most of the tower outposts weren't located in that area, and he was confident they could slip into the Schezar manor without incident.
How did I let you talk me into this? Merle complained quietly, hanging from her fingertips on the wall ledge. This is ridiculous! I could have walked right through the gates if I'd wanted! All I'd have to do was tell them I was there to see Van!
As strange as things are lately, so you really think they'd let you in? He shot back briskly. Besides, without me, who would vouch for you? No one else would believe you without someone to confirm something.
Merle didn't bother to remind him that he was regarded as a felon by the local authorities now, and his word was probably worse than nothing at all. Instead, she pulled herself up awkwardly and slinked along behind him, hoping beyond hope that they didn't get caught. She'd have an even better time explaining everything to Van from the wrong side of a prison cell.
Once we get to the manor and change clothes, we'll have a better chance of getting past the guards. All we need to do is get to inside. You'll do the rest, if you can find Van. He set off quickly, keeping low like she did.
What about Dryden? She asked. He might be able to help.
To this, Allen only snorted. She kept expecting him to add something, but it never came. All at once the ramparts gave way to a steep, stone stair, and he almost pulled her down them as he went. She bit her tongue and stumbled blindly in his wake, relieved to no end when he slowed in the shadows of a high-peaked building of old and proud bearing.
Darting through the door, Allen halted immediately when he was inside. It was so abrupt that Merle ran into him, rubbing her cheek-bone where it had connected with his shoulder.
Ow! Hey, watch what you're... She fell silent when she noticed why he'd stopped. The furnishings were overturned, the high curtains and adornments strewn carelessly over the wooden floors like fallen leaves in a windstorm. What on Earth?
Allen didn't make any reply. He sprinted for the stairs, his leather boots clomping as he cleared them three at a time. Serena? Serena!!
More nimble than him, she scampered up the banister of the oaken stairway and tested the air, breathing in deeply. Harsh, acrid scents hung here and there, bearing, among other things, the deep smell of sulfur and crude oil - the same way every guymelef pilot smelled after they'd been in their armor.
At the top of the stair, the narrow hallway was illuminated by one open doorway. Through this she went, not checking her speed until she was all the way in. Though she'd unvelveted her claws, it was obvious that the room was very empty. The bureaus and wardrobe watched her modestly from their respective corners while she circled a high, canopy bed. Its covered were rumpled, and a torn scrap of white fabric that was instantly recognizable as the laced fringe of a gown lay mournfully across them.
A mere second later, Allen burst into the room behind her. The sword was naked in his clenched fist, nearly shaking as he raised it.
She's... gone... It was a whispered gasp on his still-cracked lips, his eyes at once very wild and afraid. Without meaning to, Merle at once felt very sorry for him.
Then... then, it makes sense after all... She said quietly, fearing the effect her words would carry. You were cast out of Palas on purpose. There've been men here, I can smell them. I think the soldiers we saw in the pass... came to take Serena.
But... what would they want from her? She's just a child! Allen slammed his fist down on the unprotesting bureau in his frustration, long wisps of golden hair breaking free as when he did.
Allen, she used to be Dilandau.
No. They couldn't turn her back into that monster. I've spent long enough trying to help her recover from their tortures. She wouldn't survive it a second time. At this he gave up and sank down on his arms. I should have been here. If we hadn't turned aside...
We'd both be dead by now. Merle finished for him, the heat in her voice enough to force him to raise his head. The invisible Guymelefs we came across in the pass must have been headed here. For some reason I can tell where they are, and that's frankly very strange to me, but neither one of us has a guymelef, in case you haven't noticed. We would have been doomed. They'd have killed us and taken her anyway. At least this way, there's still hope that we can get her back.
You just said it yourself, Merle. Neither one of us has a Guymelef. How can we fight our way through an army of God-knows-who and God-knows-how-many?
Merle stopped for a moment. That's... not entirely true...
Allen said at once, the warning tone telling her to come to the point quickly. She sniffed disdainfully, casting him a knowing glare before going on.
Lord Van thought I should know how to use one. I'm his confidante, after all. My family has been the body guard of the Fanels for as long as anyone can remember. *I* have a guymelef, and I command the troops of Fanelia in Van's stead.
It's a nice sentiment, Merle, but who's going to follow you into battle? The half-smirk that Allen was so good at crossed his lips again, and Merle had to stifle the urge to slap him.
Well, we have to get out of here first of all. If Asturia had something to do with all of this...
Allen bit out in a low growl. It must have been.
Though she wasn't sure if she really believed it, Merle didn't argue. It seemed very convenient for Allen's exile and the abduction of his sister to fall so close together. Dryden had long been Allen's rival, and it wouldn't surprise her greatly to learn that Dryden indeed had some part in getting Allen arrested. He seemed an honorable man, but it was no secret that he harbored jealousy for the golden knight. Millerna was in love with Allen, as plain as the day. What better way to reinforce their union than to rid his kingdom of the man while his wife was away in Fanelia?
But, then, that didn't seem quite right either. Naturally, Millerna wouldn't be flattered by an action of that nature. It would disgust her to learn what Dryden had done , and Dryden was intelligent enough to know that. Perhaps he was coerced into driving out the knight and turning over his sister by a stronger nation, but she doubted it. With Zaibach gone, Asturia was one of the mightiest kingdoms in Gaea. It seemed more likely to her that he had no idea what had happened. If the strange occurrences everywhere else were any indication, there was a great deal wrong with the world at the moment, and she still felt completely trapped, unaware of what to say or where to go.
I want to face him. Allen said flatly. Merle jerked her head up, watching him intensely, knowing exactly of whom he spoke.
Absolutely not. We don't have any proof of that, and it isn't something Dryden would do. There's something else going on here. You're going back to the guard and he'll stay with you until I'm done here. After that, all of us are going back to Fanelia. That's final.
Who do you think you are, Merle? Allen was in her face at once. This isn't any of your business! Do you think you can command me? My sister is all I have left!
Listen to me, Allen. We're doing this my way, or not at all!
He reached to grab the front of her tunic and the silver chain around her neck caught suddenly, drawing it through the fur and across her skin roughly. Before she could cry out, though, he'd let her go. He stood there, staring at his hand, an expression of utter shock pasted on his face.
I believe you. His voice was a dry murmur. I don't know why. I didn't just a second ago...
Merle didn't know how to respond to that. What did you see? She tried instead.
A metal room. Serena. A candle... He gave her a wild look. What's happening here, Merle? What's wrong with everything?
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And she is here?
Yes, Majesty.
Following the servant closely, Hitomi entered the chamber with some caution, not wanting to make any loud noises. She looked down at the girl, who lay unconscious on a low, metallic platform. Her discarded gown was in a heap on the floor, obsolete in comparison to the black and silver armor she now wore. Her hair - a strange, silver-gray - fell almost to her waist as an after-effect of the manipulations that had already been performed on her.
What was changed? She asked calmly, marveling at the girl's innocent beauty.
Her old personality is gone. We couldn't recover it.
That's for the best. Hitomi replied quickly. There are some things that shouldn't be recovered. We would have suffered if we'd re-awakened it. She can be of use to us in other ways.
The attendant inclined her head in agreement, sending brown strands dancing over her brow. All of her old skills were recovered, and she has no idea why she knows what she knows. I was forced to put her to sleep, to save her some of the shock.
That was a wise choice. When can she be awakened? Hitomi leaned over the girl, looking down directly at the figure.
I don't know. She'll awaken in her own time. I think it's best to leave her for now, let her recover as much as she can.
Nodding at this, Hitomi turned and strode away. Leaving the infirmary wards and this new girl behind her, she stopped for a moment to give instructions to the guards. The girl was to be kept absolutely safe, under constant supervision. She was to want for nothing.
The general approached when he saw her, bowing at once.
We've completed the guymelef as you commanded, Majesty. You can see it, if you wish. I've had it brought into the courtyard.
There's no need, general. I trust that you've had it constructed correctly. Nothing else would be appropriate for our new captain, once she awakens. Hitomi glanced back at the infirmary. Every day, we get closer. All of the elements are coming together, the gravity is growing...
Yes, Majesty. The general bowed again blandly, the guards nearby doing the same. She cast them a pitying glance, then strode away. There was no sense saying anything more, when it would accomplish nothing. They couldn't understand her, really. No one could. All they could do was agree and follow, either of their own volition, or not. It didn't matter.
Nothing could stop the Asgard Empire, the great Phoenix born entirely from the strewn ashes of Zaibach, a bird of plumage so much more magnificent that that of what came before. There were few in Asgard who even remembered Dornkirk now, and that made her feel odd. Perhaps he hadn't deserved to be forgotten.
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Van stood alone in an doorway, only his outline visible against the light.
So there you are, my boy. Dryden intentionally said it louder than necessary, giving Van plenty of warning to his presence. He hadn't wanted to startle the younger man. Van spent so much time locked in thought anymore, though, that it was difficult not to. Dryden sometimes wished that he knew what troubled him, but it wasn't really his business.
My sister-in-law is wondering where you are. She sent me to find you. it wasn't actually the truth, but it was believable enough that Van nodded, apparently finding no fault with the statement. In actuality, Dryden had gone this way fully expecting to come across the young king. The two of them were not close, and as far as he knew, Van had always been somewhat distant, but as of late, he was so withdrawn that Dryden sometimes had a hard time remembering what Van's voice sounded like. It was no wonder that Eries was worried about him.
For the seventh time that day, Dryden wished that Millerna were home again. It had been too long since he'd seen his bride, and she was much better at this sort of thing than he. There wasn't much he could do but accept it. In a matter of weeks, Eries and Van would be married and the queen of Asturia could return, having fulfilled her agreement to stay in Van's place as Fanelia's caretaker until the day of the wedding.
Tell her I'll be along shortly, please. Van's voice was so quiet, so removed from anything that reminded Dryden of him. Closing the leather-bound book he carried, he put a friendly arm around Van's shoulder, guiding him away from the door.
We'll go together.
Van didn't protest, but Dryden noticed that, as they drew away, the raven-haired man's eyes still drifted back to the door.
Ollen70: Thanks for reading. Spring break is in two weeks, so I should hopefully have a lot more time for writing fairly soon.
