Author's note: I finally got up the next part, and just to let you know this doesn't exactly follow the story lines… (If ya didn't know that already)
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne, I do own any original characters.
Alone in Blood: IX
Broken Dam
Dilandau continued to live with the wolf man and old lady that Laeh lived with. He had come to know them as Turkem and Rendle. Both of them were kind and generous. They never asked anything of him and shared their knowledge of the land and it's people. He discovered that the village was some where in between Astoria and Fanalia. It wasn't too far from Zaibach; maybe a couple days ride. The people of the village were mostly from Fanalia and Freid. There were others who had moved here to avoid the growing conflict. It was a simple but peaceful place. Laeh spent most of her time with him minus the afternoons under the big oak tree where she taught the village children songs and told them folk stories. Dilandau would often watch her during these times. He found himself at peace here, it was as if he were living someone else's life. He never raised his voice, wasn't feared or well known. He never once had to fight.
Except for the time in the meadow… with the fox woman. He hadn't seen her after that, though he suspected she saw him. He was wary of her. Always looking out for an attack. Though no attack ever came. He had been here for five days when he awoke from a mid-afternoon nap. He sat up abruptly.
Fire and blood…N-no! No! Gatti! Migel! Help me! …So alone, All alone… Chesta, Dalet, Viole… don't ever question me… My Dragon slayers would never fall asleep at their post… they aren't coming… I'm afraid to die… how can I still have… blood to loose… Thank you…
Threads of what seemed like another lifetime drifted back to him. He sighed. What had happened to them all? Where were they now? His followers… his friends? Did they care that he was 'dead'? What about Jajuka… and Refina…They were his advisors, his protectors and seconds. There was Folken too, he was like a brother… I've never had a brother or any family... There was something in him that missed the battles, the control and order to his life. Not carefree moments of boredom and relaxation… not like now.
"I have to go back…" he said to himself. He knew that it was right to leave… so then why did it feel so wrong?
****
"We leave in two days… then we'll probably never see each other again." Viole said angrily. "It's not fair."
"I wish we could go back to before…" Refina said. She was braiding and unbraiding her hair. Jajuka walked in, he was carrying a tray with snacks and hot drinks.
"You should all eat and drink, you'll loose your strength otherwise."
"You should follow your own advice." Migel said taking the tray gratefully. It was evening and a hand full of slayers were in Refina's quarters. They were just sitting, and talking occasionally. This was just about all they ever did. Gatti looked out the small window at the lowering sun. He was the quietest of them all and hardly talked anymore. He got up and left.
"Where are you going?" Dalet asked as he passed him.
"Out." Was all he said.
"I'm worried about Gatti you guys, he never used to be like that. He was always a loud mouth like Viole." Dalet said leaning against the wall. Viole opened his mouth to say something then thought better of it.
"Well you have to look at it from his point of view, not only has Dilandau… um, well his best friend left!" Refina said tripping over Dilandau's name.
"Yeah… where do you think he goes every evening?" Dalet stared out the door.
"Who knows… maybe he goes to watch the sun…" Migel suggested looking out the window.
"Maybe." Dalet said doubtfully. Jajuka smiled reassuringly at them, when he exited the room his smile faded.
****
Gatti walked out onto the balcony where he watched the sunset everyday. They were on their way back to Zaibach. There they would be divided up and sent away. The boys would go to various places in the army… Refina would be under Folken's command and Jajuka he didn't know about.
Gatti sighed. He hated himself for letting Chesta tell him what to do. Why hadn't he just gone with the blonde anyway? What was wrong with him? It must have been that look in his eyes… the sad pleading look. He hated that look. Hated everything about Chesta! Why didn't he stay! No why didn't he go! Why wasn't Dilandau still alive!
"You're here again." He turned around to see the gold cat sister. Her fur shone in the setting light.
"Yeah, so I am."
"What are you thinking about."
"Killing myself." He hadn't actually meant it. He hadn't even thought about it.
"W-what?!" she looked like she'd been slapped. But then I guess people don't often start conversations with that line. He reflected.
"Never mind."
"Gatti what happened?"
"Nothing happened."
"Then why are you like this?" she leaned on the rail beside him.
"My best friend is gone, Dilandau is dead and in a matter of days we'll be split up. Reason enough for you?" it came out harsher than he'd intended.
"I'm sorry." She sighed. "I'll leave you alone." Eriya sighed and left Gatti to his thoughts. He looked around then sighed. He felt so empty, like his insides had been carved out… no emotion.
****
Folken watched from his viewpoint on the balcony above the slayers. They were leaving soon. Two more days, then they were gone. The Dragon Slayers would be no more and the small remainder that would be under General Helio of the green copper army's command would be renamed 'Green Copper Hunters'. A tasteless name, something Helio would file away into his ranks. It made the stratigos feel sick. He felt angry and depressed. It seemed that everything in Zaibach was changing. Life was change…
"Lord Folken why are you here? Emperor Dornkirk wishes to speak to you my lord." Naria said from behind him. He sighed.
"I'll go at once." He stood up and brushed past her. She watched him leave, her eyes glistening with tears. As soon as he disappeared she ran down the halls tears streaming down her cheeks.
When Folken arrived, Dornkirk was waiting for him. His ancient face taking up the screen before him.
"Folken… in two days time you arrive here. I will need your help. I hear that there is a rebellion starting somewhere in the concurred Zaibach lands. We must prevent this from altering our destiny and the perfect world. I put you in charge of this operation. You will be given whatever is necessary to take care of this before it becomes a problem." He paused. "Is that understood Folken."
"Yes." That was all he could say. The image faded and Folken was left alone in the room. Something he was accustomed to but it had never bothered him before.
*****
Naria ran she needed to get away, the deep sadness was pouring out of her. She had built it up so high and like a broken dam it cascaded down washing away everything else. Folken's despair had surrounded him. Every time she saw him it was like a dagger to the heart. She couldn't take it any more!
She turned a corner and ran straight into one of the dragon slayers. The two of them fell back. She looked at him, her vision blurred with tears that fell needlessly to the ground, unable to stop. He looked surprised. His straight cut brown hair brushed his shoulders. He was tall and an in control kind of person, she could tell just by looking at him. His eyes were filled with sorrow though he hadn't been crying. Why were they so loyal? Why to Dilandau of all people? The pyromaniac that often beat them for their mistakes!
"Are you…" he didn't finish. He simply got to his feet and pulled her up. She was about eye level with him, perhaps a bit taller. They looked at each other for long moments and some form of understanding passed between them. It was an unspoken bond of circumstances. Naria suddenly realized she'd stopped crying. After another moment, another pause in time, he walked past her continuing down the hall. She stared after him. Then gaining control of her emotions proceeded to return to her room.
The scale of life would never tip, it's balance shift and perhaps waver but never would it fall. Never would it falter due to the movement of mortals. Life was something so precious.