Disclaimer: I still don't own Escaflowne! I just thought I'd let you know!
Chapter 3
So it was agreed. With Allen and his Gymelf and Van and Escaflowne carefully guarding Drachati they travelled to Staikem Hill, where they had arranged to meet. Falcon had sworn not to bring any soldiers, but no one really believed him. He was there waiting for them when they arrived, in a different part of the hill from that which Drachati had arrived in. It was beside the ruins of an old house, with one wall still remaining; ivy crawling across it's tired bricks.
"Firstly get out of your Gymelfs," ordered Falcon in cool crisp tines. His green hair was visible in the dark, and shadows were thrown across his face, making him look skeletal. Drachati shuddered at the sight of his metal arm, glinting cruelly in the moonlight.
"We are here to protect Drachati. You're mad to think we'll leave our Gymelfs." Snarled Van
"What are you protecting her from? There's no one here but me. I won't talk if you keep them with you"
Seeing that Falcon was alone they reluctantly left the Gymelfs to one side, Van keeping one hand on the handle of his sword. Drachati seemed restless and edgy.
"Now, brother. By all rights that girl belongs to me. I am generous enough to trade with you."
Van then noticed the paper in Falcons hand. He waved it enticingly.
"This piece of paper gives you rights to all the gold I own. See? It's even signed"
"Never. You will not take Drachati. Just tell us why you want her" hissed Van.
Falcon gave a sphinx like smile and raised an eyebrow.
"Such a shame you didn't want to trade…" he clicked his fingers
"Huh?" cried Allen
From the shadows emerged 5 enormous land dragons. Their green scaly skin was so dark it looked black, contrasting sharply with their red eyes. The dragons worked quickly, cornering them against a wall before they even had time to react.
"Falcon! You dirty liar! The deal was that you'd bring no soldiers. You promised!" shouted Van in fury.
"Well, these are hardly soldiers are they?" Falcon gestured towards the dragons coolly "and besides, I don't keep my promises. Kill them! Kill them all, but spare the girl. I want her alive…"
The dragons moved to obey his orders. Van drew his sword but Allen was quicker by a fraction. He bravely kept the dragons off, shoving Van and Drachati to one side.
"Van…take Drachati and run!"
"But Allen…"
"Just do it!"
Van grabbed Drachati and dodged past the dragons, who were concentrating on Allen.
"Fools! The girl! Bring me the girl!" Van heard his brothers' sharp words.
The dragons were almost upon Allen, so caught up in the battle they didn't hear Falcons words. Their fearsome jaws were just inches away from his face, their great wings outstretched. Drachati turned round in her tracks and saw.
"No…" she whispered, her eyes widening slightly.
She broke free of Van and ran to the dragons.
"STOP!" her voice slashed through the air like a knife. The dragons stopped screeching and roaring. They turned to her, and slowly moved away from Allen.
"Allen!" Drachati ran to him. He was crouched against the wall, his arm bleeding slightly. He stared at the docile dragons, and put his sword in its sheath.
"You saved me… how did you do that? How did you control the dragons like that?"
"I don't know…are you ok? That arm looks pretty bad"
He glanced down at it. "It'll heal"
"I…I thought you were going to die" she put her arms around him, then blushed, and backed off. He smiled at her.
"Lets get out of here!" yelled Van.
Falcon watched, intrigued. "So that's the girls power. She can control dragons…well; we'll sort that out. Dragons! Get her!"
The nearest dragon swung it's spiked tail viciously. It caught her in the stomach and sent her flying. She landed unconscious at Falcons feet.
"Drachati!" shouted Allen, running forward, but Falcon picked her up, and shook himself. From his back sprouted his pair of wings, black as the night. Black feathers floated around them for a second, and then Falcon flew into the air, holding Drachati in his arms. It made Allen's skin crawl the way he held her against him with his metal arm. Van was already in Escaflowne but it was too late. Falcon had flown into a nearby floating fortress, and was gone along with the fortress, which had pulled an invisibility cloak over itself. Van and Allen stood still in shock. Allen was still wounded but he paid no attention. The journey back was both a long one and a quiet one.
So, that's the end of that chapter. Let me just explain some stuff. Hitomi started doing her Tarot cards again because she felt it was right when she was with Van. My theory is that she only stopped on earth because it seemed to bring back memories of how she used to use them on Gaea. Now she's back, so she can use them. Sorry all you Falcon fans that he's turned evil but come on, don't you think he's even MORE sexy when he's evil? You know, the way he lurks in the shadows, whistling cool spooky tunes. Well, actually it was that lullaby thingy, but you know what I mean. That chapter was surprisingly short, I thought it would work out longer, but it was crammed full of action so it makes up for it. I know the plots a bit weak when Allen and Van decide to just leave their Gymelfs by the side of the hill when they were in the presence of the most notoriously evil villain who was well known for telling porkys. But that's just how it goes. And when I say evil villain I mean sexy evil villain. (I'm only here to please everyone) If you have any suggestions or comments to make don't hesitate! I read them all!