Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. My writing is purely for the enjoyment of my readers and myself.

Previously: Liliana, princess of Egzardia was celebrating her sixteenth birthday when a frightening group of uninvited guests crashed the party. Now the princess has been abducted and time is running out to find her before its too late…

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Everlasting Love: Chapter Thirteen

Egzardia's captain of the royal guards walks up to the throne before the standing king and bows upon one knee. " My Lord." He states kindly, bowing his head. " Please," Sion begins, " Tell me what happened and what you saw earlier this evening." The captain raises his eyes to the king and sucks in a quick breath. " Your Highness, we had not seen the intruders until many of us had been attacked. We tried to stop them…but they were too fast. A few moments later those…creatures…several of us saw one of them carrying the princess away." " Away where? In what direction?" Asks Madric. " To the east…we believe they were headed towards the sea." The captain replies. King Sion sits down upon his throne suddenly exhausted and feeling older than his true age. " Father?" Madric asks stepping closer to him. Sion remains silent. " My Lord?" The captian asks with concern as he leans forward." Father." Madric speaks again. " What should we do? Should we go after them?" King Sion looks up at his son with hopeless eyes. " What would we gain to follow if they go over the sea? They might have already killed her." He states forlornly. Folken lays his hand upon one of Sion's firm shoulders and squeezes it. " They took her alive. That means that there is still a chance she can be found alive." Sion turns his gaze to Folken. " How can we find her? We don't even know where those things came from." Sion says with defeat. Madric frowns. " Van and Folken are responsible for saving Gaea from Ziabach, father." He begins. Folken looks at the prince with a carefully blank expression as he continues. " If they could do that, and protect Millerna and Eries,…they can find Liliana and bring her back to us." Folken frowns, deep in thought. Sion remains quiet, his eyes still gazing longingly at the window where he last saw his daughter.

Madric follows Sion's gaze and stares at the window noticing for the first time that blood stains its frame. Folken glances at Madric who sighs with exhaustion. He turns to his father, not meeting his eyes. " Father…I'm sorry. I failed you." Sion looks at his son with confusion. " What do you mean?" Madric keeps his head bowed. " I couldn't save her…I wasn't fast enough." Sion lifts Madric's chin up so that their eyes are evenly leveled. " That's not true, Madric. There was nothing you or anyone else could have done to save her. There isn't any way we can save her now." " I think there is something we can do." Everyone turns to look at Van. The young, headstrong king of Fanelia holds a delicate crown of diamonds in his hands. It shimmers and glitters as he walks up to them with firm, steady steps. " Liliana is alive and while she still breathes we are responsible to find her!" Van states, a burning flame blossoming within his spirit. Sion stares at Van with teary eyes. Madric remains expressionless while Folken gazes at Van proudly. The guard remains where he is, glancing at Van and then the king. Van keeps Sion's gaze and hands the king his daughter's crown. " Hold on to this. I'll go look for her." Folken's eyes widen. Madric looks at his father.

"You will look for my daughter? Even when you know not where to start looking?" Sion asks. Van nods his head. " Nothing is impossible if you believe you can succeed." Van states glancing at Folken who remains silent. " Very well then." Sion states rising to his feet and handing Liliana's crown to Madric. "Take care of this for me." Sion states to Madric while turning back to Folken and Van. " I'm going with you." He states firmly. Van's eyes widen in surprise. " Your Majesty…" Folken interjects. " I believe it would be better if you stayed. Your kingdom needs you…what if you were wounded?" " Yes My Lord. What if something were to happen to you?" The captain agrees, having been silent until now. King Sion shakes his head. " She's my daughter and I love her. I'm going." Folken backs down certain that he won't win this argument, while the guard lowers his head in silence. Van sighs and shrugs. " Very well, then. But who will watch over your kingdom while you're gone?" Sion turns to Madric. " Can I trust you with this responsibility?" " I'll take care of everything father." Madric states confidently. Sion smiles and hugs Madric firmly before stepping down from his throne and walking out of the ballroom with Folken and Van by his side and the captain of the guards following close behind.

Millerna and Eries watch silently as the three men exit the room. Merle clings to her tail while Zire rests a comforting hand on her shoulder. " Don't worry, Merle." He states gently. Meegan walks up beside Merle and looks at Zire. " Go with them, Zire. I have a feeling they will need you." She whispers. Zire nods and follows the three out of the room leaving the women and Madric alone in the large, empty ballroom with glittering glass all over the floor. They silently listen to the increasingly distant echoes of his footsteps, the ballroom growing colder and less inviting by the events that have taken place within its walls.

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King Sion, Van, Folken, and a few of Sion's best generals mount their horses and secure their sacks of essentials. They prepare with heavy hearts, knowing that what they carry is a long way from being fully prepared for any battles they might encounter, but time is not on their side and if they wish to catch Liliana's abductors they must leave as quickly as possible. " Come! We must hurry before the creatures get too far!" Sion states, whipping his horse around in the proper direction and snapping the reins. Behind him everyone follows suite and moments later all the horses and their riders are running out of the courtyard, and through the villages at top speed, capes fluttering in the air behind them like vengeful spirits. Sion suddenly makes a last minute decision and leads his horse off the dirt streets into a meadow, intending to cut through and reach the ocean in quicker time. The small army of generals, kings, and soldiers follow close behind, thundering into the darkness, with the moon's bright light now hidden behind massive black clouds.

The group travels all night and finally reaches the ocean by the first light of dawn, but there is no trace of the princess or the creatures that spirited her away from home. Discouraged everyone stops to rest. There is nothing else they can do…there are no footprints to follow, no markers or clues on trees, rocks, or even on the ground. It's as if she simply vanished. Everyone is dumbfounded and confused. Folken shakes his head in hopelessness knowing there is no longer any hope. There is good chance that the creatures have either taken her over the ocean…or already killed her. Either way, there is nothing anyone can do to help the young Liliana.

Sion slides off his horse, still keeping the reins in his hands, and stands on the beach in silence, the wind gently caressing his light, brown hair, the foamy ocean waves quietly lapping at his booted feet. He gently pats the mane of his steed, which nudges him on the shoulder lightly with its nose. Van watches the king in silence, sad for the princess's cruel fate, sad for the kind king before him, and angry that there is nothing he can do to help. They had all left with such high hopes of finding the princess alive. Now…they have to deal with not finding her at all. Not even a body is available…they won't even know what has become of her.

Sion releases a hopeless sigh and wilts visibly. Folken looks up at the sky and squints his eyes as the sun rises over the mountains and showers the group with its warm, radiant light. Van shakes his head in disgust, not understanding why such a horrible event could occur to people who are so noble and good. Everyone remains silent, minds and hearts remembering the young, pure princess that will never know the touch of a man, or feel a baby rest its head against her gentle heart. The new day smiles down on them as if mocking their just realized hopelessness and grief.

There, under the morning sun, on the quiet beach king Sion lifts his head to heaven and cries. His cries steadily grow into anguished wails of grief that twist the hearts of everyone present. Van bites his bottom lip and looks out over the ocean, blinking back tears that have suddenly filled his eyes. What could have happened to her? He wonders sadly. High above the ocean's deep blue waters fly two white seagulls, soaring in the wind with great abandonment, completely unaware of the tragedy taking place just below them.

The group returns to the palace in defeat and a memorial service is held that evening upon the same beach. Thousands of white lilies and red roses are thrown into the sea, a quiet and beautiful testimony to the love everyone felt for the young princess. And so, with heavy hearts Eries and Millerna prepare to return home the following morning, while Folken, Van, and their close traveling companions prepare to travel on to one last kingdom for support in rebuilding Fanelia.

King Sion and Madric stand together in the courtyard watching as the royal sisters of Austuria say good-bye through grief-filled tears. " Please come and visit again, my dear young ladies." Sion asks them, unable to meet their gazes. Millerna sighs sadly and nods, leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss upon his cheek before turning and climbing into a waiting coach. Eries gazes upon the king sadly and gives him a hug. Sion returns the hug half-heartedly and she pulls away to look at his face. " My dear king…" She whispers as tears quietly trickle down her cheeks. " May God grant you peace through this difficult time." Sion nods. " May he grant us all a peace that surpasses all understanding." He replies, finally looking into her eyes.

Eries nods and turns to hug Madric good-bye before climbing into the waiting coach. She pauses when her gaze falls upon Folken and Van. " Take care sweet gentlemen. Be careful and please remember to inform us of when you are ready to begin rebuilding." She states kindly. Van nods silently. The court is silent as everyone watches the sisters of Austuria leave the castle. When the coach finally turns around a bend and disappears from view, the Fanel brothers prepare to travel themselves.

" Thank you for all you have provided for us, My Lord." Van states, kneeling down with head bowed and a fist against his chest. Sion nods and, as soon as Van rises, embraces him tightly. Van returns the embrace with equal fervor. Folken watches quietly, realizing that Van shows more affection towards the king of Egzardia than towards his own brother. Can you blame him? Folken asks himself bitterly. He lowers his gaze to the floor and waits for his turn to say good-bye. " Take care of yourself, Van." Sion tells Van quietly. Van nods silently, for a moment feeling as safe and loved as when he was held within his father's arms. " I promise." Van replies just as softly before pulling back. Folken steps up to the king as Van turns to say his good-byes to Madric. " My Lord." Folken says softly, unable to think of anything comforting he could possibly say to the grief-stricken man before him. But as he looks up into Sion's eyes he realizes that no words are necessary. " Safety to you and your king." Sion replies sincerely. " May God bless your efforts." The king states with kindness. Folken nods silently. " Thank you, My Lord." He answers quietly.

After all good-byes are said and done, the brothers once again enter a waiting coach, with Merle, and Meegan, and do their best to prepare themselves for whatever else their journey might bring their way. Zire climbs up to sit beside the horse driver and waves good-bye to the king and prince as the courtyard moves past him. " Here we go again." He mutters to himself, turning towards the front and squinting under the bright sunlight.

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Van and his small group travel for several days, only stopping at night to camp before traveling again. They continue steadily, hoping to reach their next destination before noon of the eighth day. As each day passes Van takes notice that Merle hasn't been eating much and has been unusually quiet. He prays that she will tell him what is troubling her in her own time.

Van looks out his window and frowns. " What did you say this kingdom's name is again?" Van asks Folken. Folken, who is currently studying a map resting upon his lap, looks up for a moment. "Mandeza." He replies before returning to his careful analyzing of the traveling map before him. Van fidgets in his seat, trying to get more comfortable and accidentally disturbs Merle who was sleeping soundly against his shoulder. She stirs and yawns. " Are we there yet?" She asks, curling her tail close to her chest. " Soon." Folken replies for Van. Merle looks at him and blinks while Van releases a bored and exhausted yawn. " Well, I sure hope they believe us." Van states looking back out the window. " They will." Folken replies, folding up the map and looking at Van. Van simply shakes his head and continues to stare outside. " How long will we stay in…Man…Mandesta?" Meegan asks Van and Folken. " We'll be in Mandeza for only two or three days." Folken replies calmly. Meegan nods and everyone falls silent again, each individual buried within their own thoughts.

Outside the coach the scenery changes from lush fields of wheat to desert land and of what looks to be irrigated fields of exotic crops. As the travelers continue on their way and, get closer to the kingdom of their destination, the scenery changes again to lush tropical rain-like forests. Any thicker and it would hinder their progress. Van fidgets internally with a rising uneasiness about the near future. Something about the air or the scenery…he wasn't sure which one…but something just didn't feel right. " Isn't the vegetation in this kingdom absolutely beautiful?" Meegan asks him while staring outside her window. Van just nods, a frown gracing his handsome face. Folken stares at him with questioning eyes, but wisely remains silent for he too feels uneasy about something yet unrecognizable. Outside the coach Zire sits steering the horses and whistles. His cheerfulness is heard inside the coach and lifts away some of the tension that was beginning to suffocate the occupants. Merle looks at Folken, Van, and then Meegan. " Well…at least someone is having a good time on this trip." She murmurs to herself.

The noonday sun begins to lower itself to the ground and evening fast approaches. As the travelers get closer to their destination Merle turns to look at Van guiltily. " Van?" She asks quietly. Van looks at her with raised eyebrows. "Yeah?" He asks just as softly so as not to disturb Folken and Meegan who have both drowsed off a while ago. " What do you think happened to Liliana?" Van is surprised by the question, not prepared to remember the unhappy memories just experienced the day before. He sighs wearily and shakes his head. " I don't know, Merle." He replies honestly. Merle frowns and looks down at her lap. The gentle creaking of the coach becomes the only sound for several moments as it travels through thick, lush vegetation. " Van…you don't think…you don't think she deserved a death like that do you?" Merle asks suddenly and quietly. Van blinks, surprised again. " Merle…no…of course not. What makes you ask a question like that?" He asks gently, now completely focused upon the young cat-girl beside him. " Well…" She begins taking in a deep breath. " I was watching you and the princess dancing in the ballroom that night and I got mad that the king wanted you to dance with her." Merle begins. Van remains silent, watching her intently. " I thought he wanted you and the princesses to like each other and I…" Merle clutches her tail and glances up at Van who continues to stare at her curiously. " I went out to a balcony and fervently wished that…that demons would come and take her to hell!" Merle confesses and begins to weep. She buries her face within her hands and tries to muffle her sobs. Van closes his eyes for a moment giving himself time to think about what she had just said. " Merle?" He says softly, gently turning her towards him. " Merle…what happened that night…that wasn't your fault." He replies. Merle looks up with grief-stricken blue eyes. " But Van…I hated her…I wished she would die!" She states with realized horror and begins to weep anew. Van pulls her into a tight embrace as she continues to confess her pain against his chest. " I didn't really mean it…I was just mad…I didn't mean it…" Merle's muffled voice cries. Van tightens his hold on her and rests his chin against the top of her head. " Oh Merle…there was nothing you did that caused what happened that night. I know you didn't mean it….sshh…it's okay…everything will be okay." He whispers to her softly, relieved that she has finally confessed what has been troubling her all this time. Van keeps her close to himself until she finally grows too tired to cry and falls asleep in his arms. Now left alone with everyone else asleep, he silently stares outside the window and silently prays that he and his friends won't run into any more trouble. In the darkening sky, the Mystic Moon glows high above. Van leans his head back and sighs, the gentle rocking of the coach lulling him to sleep.

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The castle of Mandeza is gigantic, to say the least, and succeeds in thoroughly impressing the Fanel brothers as they step off their coach and follow the escorts that had entered the courtyard at the moment of their arrival. Van glances at the guards, carefully studying their facial features, all of which have skin color he has never seen before. Their bright green eyes seem to glow in stark contrast to the darkness of their skin and hair. He also notices that they wear very little. Simple loin clothes of blue-silk material cover their nakedness and upon their upper arms they wear simple gold bands. In their hands they hold spears and on their foreheads they each wear one blue dot directly in the center of the eyebrows. Van gulps and unconsciously steps closer to Folken who seems completely undisturbed by all this oddness. As their coach finally entered the villages of this kingdom Van noticed that the people of Mandeza seemed completely unperturbed by the sudden appearance of strangers in their land.

The two brothers are finally led into a large, long throne room. Van stares with wide eyes at the sight before him. The walls are constructed in a strange architecture he has seen repeatedly in this kingdom ever since they arrived, the likes of which neither brother have ever seen before. On either side of the long throne room are water fountains that spill out of the mouths of strange animal heads, which are sculptured out of the walls. All around the throne room are many plants of exotic colors and shapes. Small pools of still, clear water lie on either side of the room, where large, pink birds stand staring. Van frowns at them. The birds, standing on one leg, watch with beady eyes as the two strangers pass by. The moonlight from the night sky floods into the throne room via various carvings in the walls with shapes of moons, half moons and stars. The carvings cause the moonlight to create the same shapes upon anything it touches, mostly upon floor. Further inward servants hold huge torches that nearly reach the ceiling. Their light flickers across the walls and on the marble floor, creating shadows of an eerie and somewhat mystical nature.

Van finally allows his gaze to settle upon the throne itself. As he and Folken walk closer, they can make out a single individual siting with young women at his feet and standing on either side of the throne. Van glances up at Folken who carefully hides any reaction he might have to what they are looking at. As they approach the throne, Van feels his face blush with embarrassment and even Folken has the grace to do the same as the brothers get a better look at the young women who surround the king. Every one of them are naked, their skin covered in some kind of golden powder that sparkles when their bodies are in the right angle of any light that hits them. Around each of their necks are collars of pure gold connected to chains that the king alone holds within his hands. Two of the women fan the king with large palms and Van notices that none of the them look up,…they always keep their eyes down. Van felt pity for them and had to force himself not to go and yank those horrid chains out of this retched king's hands and cover the nakedness of the young women he feels are being treated like dogs.

Folken senses Van's anger and lightly touches the back of Van's hand. Van blinks and glances up at him, the same anger shining in his brother's eyes. " Let me do the speaking." Folken whispers very softly. Van nods and kneels down behind his brother. The king of Mandeza looks down at them with curiosity and calls a servant man over, handing him the chains to the women and ordering him in a strange language to take them away. After the women disappear, the king turns all his attention to the two strangers before him. Van stares at the strange king. His hair is long, reaching down to his waist, and is wavy. It shines wherever the light hits it. Van notices that the king's skin has a light brown almost golden tone and is not as dark as most of the men he has seen up to this point. The king's face is rather handsome, and his eyes of sapphire blue shine brilliantly, revealing that there is more to this king than meets the eye. Van guesses him to be no more than twenty years in age. Folken begins to talk to the king in the same strange language the king had used to talk to his servant. Van looks at Folken with wide eyes and then at the king who seems to understand everything Folken is saying. Van clenches his jaw and seethes silently, not liking the situation he is in.

After a few minutes of strange blabber the king nods and claps twice. The throne room is suddenly filled with servants, both women and men. Van takes note that none of the women are wearing any clothes…only the men. But even so, the clothes the men wear are very little. The king himself doesn't wear much, only a silk wrapping around his hips and an odd, transparent robe that glitters much in the same way as the golden powder Van noticed on the skin of the young women earlier.

Folken rises and Van follows suite as Zire enters the throne room with a chest they have brought with them on their travels. After the chest enters Merle and Meegan who look around with wide eyes, obviously uncomfortable with what they see. Zire walks up to Folken and Van while two men servants with skin as dark as night, wearing white loin cloths and golden collars around their necks, carry the chest to their king. The king orders it opened with one motion of his hand and smiles when he sees what's inside. He steps down from his throne and reaches in to take hold of some dragon skin. He smiles again and looks up at Folken and Van who remains silent. " Yamma id! Neshkur itdum nayuo." The king says with a smile. " Uma." Folken says quietly, bowing slightly before turning to his companions. " The king will help us with anything we need and insists that we stay to witness his marriage tomorrow." Van releases a breath, not realizing that he had been holding it in for the past few moments.

Servants step up and begin to lead them out of the throne room and down many halls. Folken finds himself admiring the exquisite statues sculpured out of the walls and Van simply gawks at the enormity of everything in this castle. After following the servants for a little ways more they suddenly stop. The servants indicate with gesture that the women are to go in one direction and the men in another. Van doesn't like the idea, but Folken reassures him that Meegan and Merle will be safe. " The king has ordered that we all be treated as royalty." Folken whispers to Van while Meegan and Merle separate from them. " Try to relax. They can sense your tension." He continues. Zire, walking on the other side of Van snorts quietly. " Can you blame him?" Folken glances at Zire and sighs. " According to the customs of this land…if one is invited to the wedding of a king you must attend all the celebrations which begin tonight." Van frowns even deeper. " What kind of celebrations, Folken?" Zire and Van looks at Folken with a mixture of curiosity and dread. " All the men will be expected to attend a dinner celebration which is later followed by entertainment and finally ends with a ceremonial and cleansing of the mind and soul." Folken explains.

By the time the servants lead the three men to their respective bedchambers, no one is willing to relax. The servants state something in that strange language of theirs and then leave everyone to ponder what lies in the very near future. Van stands in the hall staring at his door and turns to Folken and Zire who are also taking their time in opening their bedchamber doors. " Well, when is this dinner, Folken?" Van asks impatiently. Folken turns around. " Why is it that you are so uncomfortable?" He asks a little perturbed. Van frowns. " Don't you feel uncomfortable with what he have already witnessed here today?" He asks with annoyance. " Of course I do. But do you see me trying to make everyone else around me as uncomfortable as I feel?" Folken replies with slight aggravation. Zire stands by looking at the brothers in silence. Folken and Van stand staring each other down for several moments until Folken finally turns around to open his door. " They will come for us when the dinner is ready." He states while stepping into his bedchamber.

" How do you know all of this?" Zire asks, finally speaking what he thinks. Folken turns and looks at him calmly. " Ziabach had plans for this kingdom. It was my duty to learn as much as I could from whatever was chronicled by the Ziabach explorers." He replies truthfully. " That is why the people here are not surprised by seeing strange visitors and why we must gain their trust and friendship." Van frowns. " Friendship and trust for what? So they can enslave our women too?" Folken winces and shakes his head. " I don't agree with many things that go on in this kingdom, Van. You must believe me. But these people smart and when they want to be, extremely dangerous. They had managed to destroy three levitation convoys and were preparing to kill our explorers." Folken continues.

" They threatened Ziabach?" Van asks with surprise. " We had gone against our word." Folken states simply. " What happened?" Van asks, glancing around to make sure they weren't being overheard. " I was able to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand." Folken replies. " How?" Zire asks. " By coming personally and offering them energists." " They took them?" Van asks. " Yes." Folken replies simply. " Well that explains why they took our gifts today." Van muses out loud. " They trust you." Van concludes. Folken nods silently and steps back into the hall. " It looks as if dinner is ready." He states. Van and Zire turn around to see servants arrive with clean robes of the same material the king was wearing earlier. " We have to dress up in that?!" Van asks Folken incredulously. Folken nods mutely and accepts the clothes handed to him by one of the servants. " It is their way of showing hospitality." He explains and enters his bedchamber to change. Van and Zire sigh and accept the clothes handed to them as well. " This is going to be a loooong night." Van mumbles to himself.

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Dinner is held in a large, rectangular chamber deep within the castle. In the center is a long table with no legs. It rests upon the hard marble floor and everyone sits around the table on soft cushions. Torches are held by two sets of twelve servants on either side of the chamber. There are also water fountains flowing out of the walls in this chamber as well. Van notices that his time the water comes out of cupped hands sculptured right out of the wall. Food is served in the form of various fresh fruits and vegetables of this land. The main course is also served in the form of some kind of tropical bird. Van stares at, the animal's head, its eyes still open. Folken leans over to Van. " You look a little uncomfortable." Van looks at Folken and frowns. " To say that I'm a little uncomfortable is an understatement." Folken nods. " This will only last another half hour at the most, brother." Folken says quietly before sitting straight again. Van glances down at himself and frowns even deeper. Never before can he remember ever showing this much skin to anyone! Not even to his mother! Now here he is, the king of Fanelia and dressed no more than in a thin, red-silk loin cloth with a robe that is practically transparent. A servant girl stoops down to refill his goblet. Van lowers his gaze to his hands immediately feeling a flush upon his cheeks. The young servant girl takes a seat beside him and picks up his goblet, lifting it to his lips.

Van glances at Folken who is currently chatting with the king, sitting directly before them. The servant girl begins to pet the back of his head and presses the goblet against his lips in an effort to get him to drink. Van feels his heart pound within his chest as he parts his lips and allows her to pour the sweet juice into his mouth. The servant girl then proceeds to serve him food. Taking what is now on his plate and lifting it up to his lips in order to feed him. I'm not a baby! I can feed myself. Van thinks angrily and he glances at Folken again. This time Folken glances back at him and says something to the servant girl. She immediately sets the food in her hand down and moves away. Van sighs with relief and gives his brother a brief and rare smile of thanks. Folken nods to him and begins to serve himself food from the plates on the table. Zire smiles at the bird laying before him and snaps the head off. Van gulps and stifles an urge to be sick. He watches with mute disgust as Zire proceeds to pull out organs from the birds head and eat them. He suddenly pauses and looks up at Van. " Oh,…do you want some?" He asks, offering Van an eyeball within his paw. Van shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut.. Zire shrugs and pops the eyeball in his mouth, swallowing it in one gulp. Zire sets the bird down and proceeds to eat the fried carcass of a tarantula. One of Van's eyes twitches as he stares at Zire. The wolf-man pauses in his chewing to serve himself more juice, one hairy spider leg sticking out of his mouth. " Hey Folken?" He says after taking a moment to swallow. Folken looks up at him with raised eyebrows. "The food here is really good!" Folken simply nods and proceeds to munch on a tropical fruit glancing at Van who has completely lost his appetite.

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Merle and Meegan smile as servant girls lead them out into the royal gardens where they are shown every kind of flower imaginable. The two friends are astounded that such beauty could be seen at night. " How could one place have so many beautiful flowers?" Meegan wonders out loud. Merle shakes her head and takes a sniff of one flower in front of her. They walk through the gardens in wonder and pause to admire a section of the garden where flowers grow to be the size of bushes. " Merle look! Isn't that amazing?!" Meegan exclaims. Merle nods mutely and the two step a little closer. Meegan reaches out to touch it, but a servant girl pulls her hand back and shakes her head, throwing what looks like a dead bird into the center of the flower's head. Instantly the flower snaps shut and the sound of crunching bones can be heard. " Oh." Meegan states backing away, Merle pulling her back further. " Let's go see something else." Meegan says to the servant girl who understands her meaning and leads them to the water-springs. The two friends gasp in awe taking a good look around. Flowers around the springs glow in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. The sight is absolutely breathtaking. " Oh wow…" Meegan breathes. " It's beautiful!" Merle shouts excitedly. The servant girl smiles knowingly and leads them closer to the springs.

Here Meegan and Merle see new fish and the servants show them how one can catch a fish without it getting away. Merle is the first to jump into the water, only knee-high, and try catching some fish herself. Meegan prefers to just sit on the edge and watch, twirling a beautiful flower of multicolored petals between her fingers. " I think I like this place." She says happily. Merle nods raising a fish up in triumph. " Me too!"

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When the dinner ends everyone moves into a long hall where they take seats upon straw mats. The king walks to the end of the hall and takes his eat upon another throne where two servants stand fanning the king with large, Ostrich feathers. Van leans over to Folken. " What did you tell the servant girl back at dinner?" " I simply told her that you were not in need of her services." He replies simply. " Why was she trying to feed me?" Van asks confused and slightly upset. " It is the custom here to take an immediate sip and taste of everything served to you. The servant girl must have realized that you are not familiar with the customs here or maybe she presumed that you were unable to feed yourself." Van frowns. " But there is nothing wrong with me." Van states. " The servant girl was only trying to protect you from the wrath of the king." Folken explains. " What do you mean?" Van asks now even more confused. " If the king sees that you had not tasted what was given to you immediately, he would have you beaten and sent to the dungeon to rot." "What?!" Van blurts out with shock. "

" I'm sorry." Folken apologizes. " I should have remembered to tell you. I tried to keep the king distracted until you finally sipped the juice." Folken continues with a quiet voice, keeping an eye on what's going on around them at the same time. " But wouldn't the king think that something isn't right if he saw the servant girl feeding me?" Van asks after a moment. " Its typical for servant girls to serve guests. Many times guests will ask the servant girls to feed them and…do other things afterwards." Folken explains patiently. Van's eyes nearly bug right out of his head. " That is why I told her what I did. The king didn't see your confusion and presumed that you had asked her for service." Folken continues. Van sits back and remains quiet trying to soak in all the information he just learned.

Zire stares at the brothers beside him with curiosity. " What happened?" He asks. " Nothing of terrible significance." Folken replies. Suddenly the sound of singing fills the hall and everyone looks up to see a string of young women, barefoot and dressed in nothing more than long robes of chiffon with sashes of vivid colors wrapped around their bodies. Each woman walks up to the king and kisses his lips before moving to stand in a line against the wall behind him. They continue to sing while servant men enter the hall carrying a large red curtain. They run to the center and raise the curtain up so that it creates a small circle within itself. The men then begin to walk sideways in a circle, humming low and softly, never letting the curtain fall. Their voices blend in perfect harmony with the women who stand behind the king. The hall is filled with their voices and everyone watching feels a tingle of excitement. Suddenly the sound of many little bells is heard and the servant men stop singing and stoop down to the floor, taking the curtain with them to reveal a small group of young females. Five in all. They stand back to back, heads raised up to the ceiling and hands down at their sides. Around their wrists and angles they wear small bracelets with little tiny bells and long skirts of

several different kinds of grasses hang from their hips. Interwoven within the skirts are flower petals of all kinds and all colors. Their breasts are each covered by a single peacock feather held in place by thin strings of pearls, leaving little to the imagination.

The young women step away from each other and form a circle, clapping their hands in a steady rhythm. They twirl around and begin to sing, their little bells chiming in time with their rhythm. Van watches everything with awe and glances at Folken. Folken remains unexpressive and Zire is smiling. As the women continue their dance Van glances beyond them to the king and the women behind him. Folken glances at Van and follows his brother's gaze. " They are his wives." Folken replies. Van looks at him incredulously. " His wives? But didn't you say he's getting married tomorrow?" Van asks confused again. Folken nods. Van frowns and looks back at the king who sits proudly on his throne watching the young dancers before him with something that looks suspiciously like lust. The young dancers finish their performance and step up to Folken and Van, bowing down to the ground before them and kissing their feet, literally. Van glances at Folken uncertainly and turns to stare at the king who remains devoid of expression.

He steps down from his throne and motions for Folken, Zire, and Van to follow him. The king brings them into a large chamber where natural hot springs flow into large pools from the walls. The king turns to them and speaks. " Nuwa tatum. Nikta plulen. Itiom linay funalp onby." Van and Zire look at Folken. " He says that we are to enter the hot-springs and allow our souls to be cleansed. Seeing that Folken is done translating the king continues. " Inya viling mumakay. Ipty hiat veltra tu tarum." Folken translates again. " He says that we will be attended by his servants and afterwards we will rest." The king nods to them and leaves the chamber as his servants enter to assist their guests.

Several moments later, the three friends are neck-deep in the hot-springs enjoying their time. " Well I gotta say this is really nice." Zire states with a smile. Folken nods and Van smiles back. " I guess this isn't so bad." Van agrees. Servants continue to come and go, checking to see if there is anything the three might need and offer food and wine. Zire accepts anything they bring while Folken accepts the fruit and Van takes nothing, still queasy about dinner. " So what do you plan to do after we finish here?" Zire asks Van. Van looks at his brother and sighs. " I think we'll head back to Fanelia and begin reconstruction." Zire nods and takes another bite from his pineapple while Folken leans his head back against a cushion and closes his eyes for a few moments.

The steam from the water begins to make everyone sleepy and Van leans his head back as well, closing his eyes and relaxing for the first time since he entered the kingdom of Madeza.

Several moments later, Van is awakened by a servant who leads them back to their bedchambers. Folken bids him goodnight and the three enter their chambers for a restful

sleep. Inside, Van makes his way over to his bed and flops down on his belly. He doesn't even bother to take off the towel wrapped around his waist and almost instantly falls asleep. The only sound in the chamber is the quiet crackling of the torches against the walls. Then, out of the shadows a figure approaches. It walks up to the bed and sits down right beside Van. He stirs as someone gently moves his bangs away from his eyes. Something warm and soft touches the back of his throat and travels slowly to the sensitive place between his shoulder blades. Van jerks awake and turns around so fast he accidentally falls off the bed. When he peeks over the edge of the bed he feels himself blush profusely and then…he gets mad. " Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" Van quickly gets to his feet, clutching the towel tight against his waist.

The young servant girl stares at him curiously and cocks her head in confusion. Van blinks and suddenly recognizes her as the same servant girl who had tried to feed him earlier that evening at dinner. She moves to climb off the bed and reaches for him. Van steps back and glances around for the door. He looks back at the servant girl and blushes as she steps into the light that the torches provide. As she steps closer Van is quite aware that this servant girl isn't a 'girl' at all but a woman. He gulps and backs away further. " What do you want?" He asks, realizing that his voice is cracking with suppressed fear and excitement. " That's close enough." He warns as she comes to stand right in front of him. She smiles seductively and reaches out for his hands, but Van is quicker than her and smoothly ducks away. Running for the door Van doesn't even look back to see whether or not she is following. Flinging the door open he stumbles into the hallway to see Folken doing the same. The two brothers take a moment to stare at each other with the same startled expression before hurrying over to Zire's chamber. Folken moves to knock on the door when it opens on its own accord and a frantic Zire comes running out, nearly ramming into them in his haste to get out. Van and Folken frown, knowing exactly what happened and together the three friends sneak over to the women's hall and search for Merle and Meegan's bedchambers.

Luckily for them Merle steps out of her room to knock on Meegan's door. " Merle!" Van whispers. Merle nearly jumps right out of her skin and turns around to glare at Van. Folken, Zire, and Van watch as Merle's face goes from 'I'm going to kill you' to ' why are you dressed only in a towel?'. " Merle…we need to stay in your room if you don't mind." Van whispers quickly. Merle frowns. " Why what happened?" " Our chambers are not suitable for sleep." Folken replies and the other two nod in agreement. Merle sighs, rolling her eyes and points to her door. " Alright, alright. My chamber is right there." " Thank you Merle." Van says kissing her forehead quickly before sneaking into her room with Folken and Zire right behind him. Merle shakes her head. " Men." She turns around just as Meegan answers her door. " Merle?…what do you need?" " Folken, Zire, and Van took my room. Can I stay with you?" She asks with a hopeful smile. Meegan nods and lets the cat-girl inside. " Why did they need your room?" She asks. Merle shrugs. " Who knows!" Meegan watches as the cat-girl makes her way over to one side of the large bed and tries to go to sleep, her tail twitching angrily.

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Coming Soon: Chapter 14

Mandeza seems to be a nice place, but Van, Folken, and their friends are about to learn the true face of this kingdom's king.

And just note to all the readers who want to see Hitomi…never fear! I have planned from the start that Hitomi and Van will meet again. But as to the details of how and when…well, let's just say that information is for me to know and you to find out. J