~Author's notes~
~linay
Ancient Visions
Previously: Van and Hitomi arrived at Fanelia's castle where they were greeted by Merle, Sayjin (the new leader of the castle samurai), Rawlin (the emissary from Basram) and Shana (the youngest princess of Basram). Hitomi discovers the reason that Van was ashamed to communicate with her -- a visiting princess (Shana) was being considered as a prospective queen! Hitomi had a vision from Mia that revealed that Mia and Slanzar had wished Atlantis to appear on Gaea so that Leon would find the pendant and Hitomi would eventually get it. But another man (Kasal) had done the same thing. Hitomi gets ready to leave for the dragon's nest to find it with Allen while Van disaproves...chapter 5
Merle, from her perch on the roof, caught sight of a shimmering form flying away. "Hm?"Then she shrugged Must be my eyes...
Hitomi was just outside the palace gates, watching the crew get the Crusade ready for flight. Allen was standing below the flying ship, yelling orders to men that were working on it. Hitomi sighed and turned around.
"Van!" She gasped. Van was standing right in front of her. There was an uneasy silence.
"Here," Van said cooly, "I want you to take this with you while you're on your trip."
Hitomi reached out to take what was lying in his outstreched palm. It was the pendant she had given to him on the day she left Gaea.
"Van," she said, "I can't take this back."
A shadow of a smile crept onto the young King's face, "You might need it. Don't worry, I would like it back when you return." With that, he turned on his heel and walked away. Hitomi stared after Van. The pendant began to glow softly and hitomi suddenly blinked. Who is that? The man walking away from her was Van but...he was wearing different clothing: no shirt, metal armlets and loose bellshaped black pants. A strong hand suddenly came down on her shoulder and Hitomi shook her head, then looked up again. It was normal Van again, red shirt and all. Hitomi sighed.
"Don't worry," Allen said, squeezing her shoulder, "He's just worried about you."
Hitomi turned and smiled at Allen. He was as dashing as ever, long-haired and blue-eyed.
"How is Celena, Allen?"
"She's slowly learning about life in Asturia. I'm leaving her in Princess Erie's care for the moment."
"Sir!" Gaddeth called, running up to them, "The Crusade is ready to go!"
"Alright then, shall we be off?" Allen said, turning.
i guess so, Hitomi thought to herself, casting one look back to the castle regretfully, I wonder what will happen while I'm gone
Van and Sayjin watched the Crusade take off through a large window. Van stood stiffly and stone-faced as the small craft became smaller and smaller. Sayjin glanced at the young king.
"A strong-minded woman," Sayjin commented. The king only pursed his lips in response. "Quite the the uncertain element, isn't she my lord." Still the only response from Van was a furrowing of the brows. Sayjin continued, "I can see why you would care for her."
Van spoke harshly, "Who said I cared for her?"
A slight smile passed over Sayjin's usually stern features, "I would only ask, my lord, if she will be safe"
"She is in Allen's care for now," the young king replied gruffly, turning away from the window.
Hitomi, meanwhile, was sitting with her arms around her knees beside one of the windows on the Crusade. She stared down at the clouds drifting by. She sat pensive-like, not even hearing the sound of approaching footsteps.
"you're not your usual self today," Allen said amicably.
Hitomi looked up. "I'm just a little tired."
Allen sat beside her. "Couldn't you stay away from your love for more than three months?" he teased gently.
Hitomi's eyes widened and she replied hastily, "Van...oh well we're not really..."
"I was talking about me, silly."
Hitomi almost choked.
Allen laughed lightly, tousling her hair. "Still so easily affected. Rest easy, I am only teasing." He stood and walked away towards the control room.
Hitomi moaned inwardly. Why can't anything be simple? I almost wish I had my tarot cards here...she stopped and thought, But my wishes...Wishes here are dangerous. She stared out the window again. They were passing over ocean now.
The following night, Van sat with his guests for dinner. They were enjoying the last course of a full meal. Rawlin drank and ate boisterously, Sayjin with dignity, Shana demurely, and Van sullenly.
"Gracious host," Rawlin piped in, "How fares your other guest?"
Van looked up at him with distaste, "She is on a journey."
"How appropriate!" Rawlin said with a grin.
Shana, and even Sayjin, looked up, startled. Shana shot Rawlin a warning look but he had had too much of the sweet wine to notice that Van's eyes were burning.
"Perhaps now that she is gone," Rawling drawled, "We can continue to attend to matters of business."
At the word 'business', Shana shivered slightly. Van stood, pushing his chair back, saying, "I will take my leave of you now and you many continue with your business." He bowed slightly to princess Shana, who nodded shyly back, and then stalked out.
"Rawlin..." began Shana in a soft reproach.
"No princess," he interjected, "You do not understand these matters. Time passes quickly and your father desires a union for you. One that would bring both you and him honour."
"Perhaps," Sayjin said in a rumble, "you press too hard. These monarchs are young."
"Youth does not excuse rashness," Rawlin stated shrilly, "Your young king has duties no matter where his heart may lie. You would do well to remind of that fact, my gracious lord."
"You speak too boldly," Sayjin replied softly, "And I believe you offend your young charge." He was looking almost with pity at Shana, whose eyes were starting to fill with tears.
"Sir," Shana said, controlling her voice admirably, "I am accustomed, or should be, to such talk of my future. I am ready to serve my father in his wishes."
Van paced the lawn by the fountain. It was still light outside but the sun was starting to sink. He stopped by the fountain, heaving a sigh. Then, straightening himself, he drew his sword. Carefully and precisely, he began to practice his swordsmanship, remembering each movement. He had greatly improved his technique, though he had only fought for practice since the great war. The exertion in his muscles and the soft swish of hie blade calmed him. He could feel every sinew, bone and muscle acting in unity. A soft intake of breath startled him and he dropped his arms to his sides, turning to look who was there. It was the princess Shana.
Shana blushed softly and said, "Forgive me, my host. I was only observing."
Van considered this young woman. She was as young as he was. She stood and her hair and gown floated around her delicate body. He sheathed his sword abruptly.
"There is no crime in observing."
Shana smiled soflty and seriously. "You are too kind," she looked away and bowing her head, said, "Do you know why I am here?"
Van stared at her and replied, "I am king of my country. I can guess why you are here."
Shana sighed and glided to a bench. "I don't mean that," she said, sitting, "I meant here, now."
Van approached the bench cautiously. "I would ask you a favour, my lord," she began, "I wish to know more about the seeress Hitomi."
Van stood beside the bench. He turned to look down at the serious young princess. "What do you wish to know?"
"I wish to know why she went back to the mystic moon," she whispered softly.
Van's eyebrows shot up. The question had caught him off guard. He faced forward again, starting slowly, "We decided that she should go back. She wanted to stay but I...I told we could see eachother anyway. As long as our hearts and thoughts reached eachother."
Shana, sat still and faced the fountain as well. "And," she breathed, "Did that happen?"
Van paused, unwilling to answer. "Princess," he replied, "Is it proper for you to know?"
"If that is not proper then, tell me, how did you come to be so close to her?"
Van bowed his head, "She was an unexpected friend. we fought side by side."
"She fought?"
"Not with a sword," Van answered, smiling, "With her heart and her power. She saved my life many times."
"She was very compassionate and trusting," Van recalled, "just as you seem to be princess"
"My lord -" Shana started but a messenger called out, "Lord Van!" Shana and Van turned to see an out of breath messenger arrive. "Lord Van," the messenger panted, "an emissary, from Cesario, demands to see you."
"Demands?" Van asked.
"Sir," he huffed, "those are his words."
Van stiffened and said, "Very well, assmemble the castle samurai in the throne room. I will meet this emissary there."
The messenger ran off. Van turned to the princess. "I must leave," he said shortly and he strode away quickly.
In the outdoor foyer to the throneroom, an tall dark-haired man waited with ten armed men wearing strange red armor beside their guymelefs. The men stood at attention, though some shifted uneasily. The dark-haired man, however, stood still and confident, his eyes sweeping lazily around. At that moment, the doors to the throne room swung open. Van stood in front of the throne, eyeing the strangers. The stranger approached, his men in tow. They stopped right before Van.
The dark-haired man, obviously the leader, bowed slightly then spoke loudly, "Van Slanzar de Fanel, king of Fanelia, we are here to speak on terms regarding your country's alliance." He paused waiting for the young king's reaction.
Van simply nodded for the man to go on.
"I am Newton," he said, "New leader of the country of Cesario."
Van stopped the man suddenly, "New leader? I was not aware of a change of government."
"Perhaps not yet," Newton smiled, "But it has in fact occured. I am the new King and I wish to speak to you concerning an alliance."
Sayjin whispered something into Van ear. The young King spoke softly but dangerously, "The King of Cesario was not a very old man and, regardless, his heir was of age to take the throne had he died. How did you come to power?"
Newton smiled calmly. "I am a persuasive man."
Van's temper began to flare and though he spoke softly, his tone was strained, "I don't make alliances with traitors and murderers."
Newton raised his eyebrows, "I thought you would answer as much. But be warned, King, I don't take such disappointment lightly."
He turned to leave. As he reached the doorway, he faced Van once more. Newton's icy green eyes startled the young King.
"By the way," Newton said calmly, "Where has the seeress and her pendant gotten to now?" WIth that, he and his soldiers prepared to enter their waiting guymelefs.
"What?" Van fairly roared after them, "How do you-" The sound of their guymelefs taking off drowned the rest of his question out. Sayjin approached Van.
"They seem very eager to expand their territory, Lord Van," Sayjin said, "Perhaps we should start assmebling our armies."
Van was staring after the guymelefs, "Yes Sayjin, you are right. Assemble our army and get guymelefs ready for battle. I will go awaken escaflowne."
"Right at this minute?"
"I am going to look for Hitomi," Van stated.
Sayjin opened his mouth but Van stopped him and explained, "It is not only because, as you say, I care for her. Newton is after her, I know it. We must protect the pendant, it is the power of Atlantis."
Sayjin pondered this for a moment then answered, "You are correct, my lord, this power must be protected. I will ready the army."
"You can't be serious!" Rawlin, who had been waiting several feet away, said, "You can't leave your duties here to go looking after some...some girl!"
Van turned to the man, eyes slits of anger. "I am King of Fanelia," Van stated coldly, "You are in my country -- don't pretend to be my advisor. Hitomi is a guest of my country and so is under my protection. I will protect her." Turning abruptly, he broke into a run toward the memorial and escaflowne.
Hitomi stood at the door of the Crusade. They had just landed.
"And where do you think you are going?" Allen asked from behind her.
Hitomi frowned at him. "To look for the pendant of course," she said.
"And what," he continued, "makes you think you are going?"
"I am going," Hitomi said, stamping her foot, "because I was the one who wanted this mission in the first place!"
Allen laughed gently, "You are so adamant. But I suppose if you follow closely, you can come."
Hitomi glared at him. Allen put his hand on her shoulder, "I just wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
Colour suddenly began to spread up Hitomi's cheeks. She glared at him then sudenly turned away as the door to the crusade fell open. Allen, followed by hitomi and the crew, stepped out onto the lush island. The men shifted nervously. Allen scanned the landscape calmly
"Sir," Gaddeth said, "This is the dragon's nest but -"
"where are the dragons?" finished Allen.
To be continued...
