Chapter 6
Dilandu was bored. He just felt that it was time to tell his new Commander to screw and get a couple of cities on fire. Or perhaps he should hunt down Van. His scar was still unpaid, and that little b.... from the Mystic Moon was gone, as she had been for a long, long time.
Just then Doren appeared at his door. He belonged to the new Dragonslayers, the ones he had recruited and trained himself, so that no more mistakes would be committed. This kids were killing machines, the best of the best, his pride.
-"So, what does he want? Someone to soap his back and give him his rubber duckie?''
-"Hmm... no Sir. He says there has been some activity near our borders.''
-"What kind of activity?''
Doren eyed his master nervously. Even if Dilandu was just laying as long as he was on his throne, it was still very dangerous to vex him. Why, he had gotten himself a good lashing just last week, just because he 'hadn't served the wine correctly', as Dilandu liked it.
-"Hmm... he says they saw a column of light, sir. Very close to what is left of the old fortress. Just a little ways into Asturia. He wants us to check it out.''
Dilandu bristled. A column of light? After all this time? Hmm, if that was right, then Van.,..
Doren cowered behind the first available statue. His master was getting that expression again, that demoniacal smile that made anyone's knees into rubber, while the insane gleam in the ice froze whomever had the unfortunate luck to have it directed at him. Poor Van Fanel, wherever he was. May the Gods have mercy of his poor soul.
Merle looked anxiously around herself. They had been on the road for two days already, and were getting close to the border between Fanelia, Asturia and Old Zaibach. New Zaibach was more to the north, an always frozen no-mans-land. Whomever lived there was nuts.
A noise came from the bushes and a shiver ran down her spine.
She hated this goddamned road, but Lord Van had insisted on it, saying that the could take a peek at what was going on near their borders, and perhaps get some more information. Information on what she didn't know, but her childhood friend had looked anxious, almost... nervous, tense. Could it be possible that something was wrong and he wasn't telling? Well, now that she thought about it... It would be just like him to hide information like that, as if she still were a new born kitten.
Just the thought made her claws appear, which, not going unnoticed, made all those who had been close to her pull away.
'Ok, Merle. You can do it, keep your calm.'
Those around her relaxed visibly.
'Why would he hide something from me? My birthday has just gone by, so there shouldn't be any secrets to keep, could it be we are on danger? Nah, he wouldn't have taken this road if that were so. Then...'
Unknown by Merle, someone had noticed her uneasiness, more than one someone, and they knew exactly what was on her mind, and that of her friend.