Okay I got rid of all that disclaimer stuff, cause I really do own Escaflowne! No, No I don't I'm just kidding! That'd be nice though…
Thanks for reviewing! It really brightens my day!
Sorry bout the wait, I couldn't think of anything to connect later stuff to now stuff. But, I did get an idea, and the next chapter should be right after this one.
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Chapter 11: Threats
Blade sat on the divan with her hands folded in her lap and her eyes downcast. Her face was unreadable, but Silver realized how much pain she was in. No one played Blade. It just wasn't done. She wasn't quite sure what to do about it, or about Hunter's current problem. It was confusing, and Silver was baffled at what to do about a demon possessing her sister. What exactly was Eris after anyway? What did she need that Hunter knew or had? Silver realized that she would more then likely have to take charge, something she didn't enjoy doing very much. Control wasn't in her programming so to speak. She usually followed Hunter or Blade's lead. It was very rare when she didn't and led them instead, but under the current circumstances it was essential. It was late morning, but they weren't going to 'sneak' out of Boktor until nightfall. Silver understood Hunter's reasoning, they moved better in the dark. Fewer people would detect them, enabling in an easier get away. Until then, however, she would have to keep things from falling to pieces. She continued to watch her suffering sister, wary of any signs of eruption that stemmed from her hurts, and maybe even hate. Her worries about Hunter were repressed in the simple fact that she was asleep. Apparently Eris wasn't able to work through Hunter when she was extremely exhausted, and since it appeared that the possession in its self drained Hunter, it logically meant that Eris wasn't able to possess her for very long periods of time. Of course, ever since they had come to this planet, nothing had been logical. Blade looked up, her eyes a little distant and completely unreadable. She avoided from making any eye contact with Silver. Standing she shook her head seemingly to clear her head. Silver also stood her eyes wary as she tried to read her sister. Blade was up to something, and Silver didn't like the suspense. Blade brushed past her, heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Silver demanded. Blade stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Out, I need some…air, I guess," Blade muttered quietly. Silver winced, unsure how to stop her. She suspected that revenge was what Blade thought she needed, and wasn't sure how to deal with it.
"Okay…just don't…do anything rash or stupid. Like, I don't know…revenge?" Silver replied pointedly, nearly positive Blade would ignore her wishes and go on with it anyway. The dark-haired girl just shrugged and continued out the door. Silver wished she could've stopped her sister, but even though her fighting skills had improved, Blade was still better than she was.
"I just hope she listens…" Silver muttered before turning her attentions to Hunter who was still sleeping. Silver knew she would never keep anything together today, or tomorrow or even the next day. She feared that they would get caught, and not be able to get away again. She did not want to be the one that had to explain anything to any angry person. She suspected that her mouth wouldn't be able to get her out of that type of situation.
Folken's eyes narrowed in annoyance. With the war coming, Dilandau had become even more unbearable. His impatience set Folken's nerves on edge, distracting him slightly from the Emperor's main plans, while his rash behavior set him on panic alert. It was also something else, it wasn't ordinary pre-war Dilandau behavior. He was acting a little bit to impatient and even distracted. Something had happened, but Folken wasn't quite sure what it was. He wasn't even sure if he really wanted to find out.
"When do we leave?" Dilandau asked, not even looking up from the maps he was looking at while tracing a supposed path with a gloved finger.
"Maybe three or four moons. Perhaps more," Folken replied. Dilandau broke his gaze away from the maps and locked it onto Folken. He looked angry, his impatience showing through, "Dilandau, assembling an army takes time, you should know that."
"My slayers would…no they are ready to leave. Now," Dilandau sneered. Folken knew it was true. The Dragonslayers where always ready to pick up and leave for battle. It was part of their training. Folken opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Dilandau suddenly turned away from the table towards the window. Folken stared him, then at the window oblivious to what the General was doing.
"What are you doing?" Folken demanded exasperated. Since Dilandau had always been off his rocker, Folken couldn't think that he had rounded the bend. Dilandau's eyes swept the area near the window not answering him. Just as suddenly he turned away from the window and back to his table. At first his face was unreadable, but as he stared at the edge of the table, he smirked and said, "I heard something." Folken grated his teeth, annoyed.
"As I was saying, it takes time to assemble an army, and who knows how long the girls will…" Dilandau leveled his angry gaze at Folken once more. His eyes burned and his lips curled into a sneer.
"They're coming with? Why?" He snarled indignantly. Folken met Dilandau's gaze, his own also angry, "Because I say so. And we may need them…for selective missions." Dilandau's sneer deepened making him look even angrier then before. If that was possible.
"Try to have patience, Dilandau, it isn't that long of a wait," Folken continued sarcastically before he left the young general staring hatefully after him. Dilandau slammed a fist down on the table, and released a growl of anger. His eyes surveyed the area around him, looking for something to kill. Finding nothing, he threw a dagger in much the same fashion as the past moon, and it lodged into the dark wood of the door. He found himself at a slight calm, though still frustrated. As he stared at the dagger he had thrown, he realized that it would do no good to him there, so he went to retrieve it. Just when his hand wrapped around it and was about to pull it out, he heard a faint rustle, much the same as the one by the window. With one fluid movement, he jerked the dagger and threw it towards the sound knowing that someone something was there. It struck against the opposite wall and clattered to the floor, hitting no one. Sweeping the room once again with his eyes, he again found nothing. Was it just paranoia? The pre-battle rush coming in a different way? He remained cautious, aware of everything. He tuned out all other noises, save for that faint rustling sound, and found nothing. What ever it had been it was gone now. Perhaps frightened, or it got what it needed. A sort of disgusted frustration set in and Dilandau walked past the table without more then a glance at it. A glance that told him everything and nothing at the same time. His maps where gone. Someone had need of them, but who? And why?
Silver had woken Hunter up telling her it might be wiser to leave earlier then planned. Hunter nodded before yawning and asking where Blade was. Silver didn't answer her, but her eyes strayed slowly to the door. Hunter immediately understood.
"Oh shit," she said, "You're right, we will be leaving sooner then expected." Silver nodded weakly in agreement, "Should we pack?" Hunter returned her smile and nodded.
"What's there to pack?" Silver wondered more to herself then to her sister. Hunter glanced around, shrugged her shoulders, and replied with the negative. Just then Blade returned. She had a bag tossed carelessly over her shoulder. She appeared to be quite content.
"All right. Who'd you kill?" Silver wanted to know. Blade looked offended while she replied, "What'd ya mean who'd I kill? I didn't kill no one and that's the honest truth. I got revenge my way." She tossed the bag she was carrying and some of the contents spilled out. Hunter stared at it before reaching over and picking up a scroll. She slowly opened it and then stared at the contents. Then she started to laugh.
"You stole Dilandau's maps?" She asked grinning. Blade smirked and tossed a small pouch to her. Hunter caught it and laughed even harder when she realized what was in it.
"I got some food too. None of that awful gruel stuff. Good stuff and I figure that we can hunt for any if we need to. I also suppose we can buy some of it too," Blade replied in a matter of fact tone. Silver took the small leather pouch from Hunter and opened it. She looked at Blade, sighed and said, "Okay. You're the best," Blade shrugged her shoulders and spread her fingers modestly. Silver rolled her eyes before continuing, "So when do we leave? And where do we go?" Hunter unrolled the scroll again and she placed the leather money pouch on one corner and her hand on the other. Using her free hand she traced a path across it.
"I figure we can get into Austoria and seek refuge for a time while finding maps of beyond. Then we'll go on using the maps," Hunter said staring at the map she had examined just yesterday in Dilandau's quarters. It brought back memories that clouded her thinking, and made it all together even more possible to want to get away. Although Hunter couldn't see it, Blade shook her head.
"No. While I was having a little fun, I overheard some stuff. The new Emperor dude is planning a full-scale assault on Austoria. It'd be better if we left asap, and we stop by the capitol for awhile and let me do some handy work, then we leave. Armies move slow, especially if they hit rough terrain and from the looks of it, they'll have to swing around these right here," Blade said pointing to some foothills, "And we won't. We can just move right through. Plus Austoria's capital is a port city. We go north, south or catch a boat and go west." Hunter nodded taking in Blade's advice. Silver was looking at another map, "Or we could just go east right away and not be running into any army, or patriots who mistake us for Zaibochs." Blade raised her eyebrows.
"That might work," Blade said. Hunter asked to see the map and Silver handed it over.
"If we go east, we'll hit a desert," Hunter said examining this map. Blade shuddered, "That doesn't sound promising," she commented. Hunter lowered the map so her eyes where in sight. They twinkled and laughed. "What? It doesn't sound promising! Dalet never told me about it," Blade informed. Hunter lowered the map completely.
"You okay?" she asked. Blade rolled her eyes. "Of course I am. In fact I'm better then okay. I'm perfect."
"Liar," Silver replied. Blade looked shocked, but then she grinned weakly and shrugged her shoulders, "I guess I am, but you know, I need to get away." Silver nodded and Hunter understood.
"It's final. We leave now, and we go west," Hunter said. Blade pulled her bag towards her and dug in it. She looked at her sisters who were staring.
"What? I didn't go shopping and not bring my sisters presents!" She said innocently. She tossed a moneybag to Silver and latched another one onto her belt. Hunter rolled until she was on her belly facing the bed. She reached in and pulled out the sword she had stolen from the Abaharaki she had also stolen her horse from. Standing she buckled the belt around her waist. It was a little big but she'd just have to deal with that. Silver searched under the divan and pulled out a bundle. Hunter and Blade both gave her a weird look.
"What? I knew we'd need them sooner or later," she said defensively as she separated three cloaks. Hunter said nothing but slipped one on. Blade did the same.
"How do I look?" Blade asked. Silver chewed on her lower lip as she surveyed her sister.
"I think you could use some work. What do you think Hunter?" Silver asked grinning. Hunter didn't even look up, "Um hum yeah whatever you say." Then she turned and grinned at her outraged sister, "I don't feel appreciated anymore," Blade muttered faking pain. She started to scratch at her cheek.
"Don't pick at them! They'll take longer to heal," Silver ordered. Blade shot her a nasty look, but stopped picking at her scabs. Hunter shook her head and exited the room with her sisters following her.
"Okay…which way's west?" Blade asked innocently. Hunter didn't answer, but instead kept walking down the hall, "I bet she's leading us east instead," Blade muttered quietly to Silver who snorted and tried to stifle the rest of her laughter.
"Master isn't going to like you using the pool for your own purpose," the hunchback muttered angrily to Eris. She crouched on the edge of the image pool staring into it. The demon-girl paid no attention to him, "You're going to lose the set images and I'll get blamed for it," Still no response, "What are you looking at anyway?" Nothing. The orange-scaled girl sat there totally and absolutely unaware of her creator's voice. She did not answer, but seem fully absorbed in looking at and disturbing the image pool that his master had labored so long in setting and enhancing the image. He hobbled over to the demon-girl and looked over her shoulder. The pool was pitch black and showed nothing.
"What are you doing?" he demanded of her. She flinched as if caught unaware. Eris's green-red eyes seemed to glow with anger. She glared angrily at the hunchback. He stared into the burning coals, trying to look away, but unable to.
"It is none of your concern," she replied haughtily. The hunchback's nostrils flared in anger, "It is my concern if I will be punished for it!" he snarled angrily. Eris regarded him for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps you are right," she said. She placed a clawed finger in the dark water disrupting the calm surface.
"What are you looking for?" he asked softly, afraid that this quiet mood Eris was in would rip any moment at any loud sound.
"I…I don't know exactly. It's something the girl, Hunter knows. I must have it! …whatever it is," Eris whispered softly. The hunchback nodded. Eris moved as though to place her palm on the edge of the basin. In doing so she caught a claw on a crevice. She hissed in pain and tried to wrench it free.
"No, wait!" The hunchback ordered her. She stared at him as he unhooked the silver talon. He examined it before releasing her. She continued to stare before flinching back in pain.
"What? What is it?" he asked. Eris looked away, "She…Hunter, she found the communication link. She—she's sending thoughts and things I don't understand. I wish this bond between us didn't exist…"
"Perhaps I can find something to help it. In the meantime we should probably trim your claws," the hunchback replied. Eris met his gaze again, looking even more confused then before, "I don't understand. Why do you want to help me?" She asked.
"I've been thinking…and I've reached a conclusion, because whether you where a mistake or not, I still created you and I hold a responsibility to you. You must admit, you are very young," The hunchback replied while retrieving a knife.
"You are sentimental," Eris said disgusted. She would not fall to sentimentality. Those emotions would never rule her! She jolted when the hunchback took her hand. He studied the talons extending from her fingertips.
"Tell me if it hurts. You may feel slight discomfort at first, but I doubt it will hurt," he told her before slowly cutting away about two inches of her claw. He did so with the rest on that and her other hand. Then he came back and shaped them so they were just as sharp. He replaced the knife and returned to looking in the pool. Eris examined her claws. He was right it was slightly uncomfortable, but they were lighter and easier to manage. She too, returned to staring into the water. "What does it mean?" She asked suddenly
"What does what mean?" the hunchback asked in return, not quite sure what it was she wanted to know.
"My name. What does it mean?" She looked at the hunchback unsure whether she wanted to know or not. He thought for a moment before answering her, "Eris…where Hunter and her sisters come from, in the times after the beginning and just before the Middle Ages, there was one main power. They were called the Romans. The Romans believed in many gods and goddesses."
"So my name is the name of a god? Why?" Eris asked interrupting him.
"No, your name is the name of a goddess. The Romans believed that each god or goddess was there for a reason. One controlled the sun, another the seas. And I believe that Eris was the goddess of discord." He continued, not angry at her interruption.
"Discord? Doesn't that mean, well, not in harmony? Does he mean I'm messed up?" Eris asked, confused and angry at the same time.
"Yes and no. I believe when the master named you, he meant to call you his troublemaker," the hunchback replied. He wasn't sure if that was true or nor not.
"Oh…what's your name?" Eris asked. The hunchback stared into the pool.
"I have no name. The master did not see fit to name me," he replied quietly. The demon-girl stared at the hunchback. "I'll name you," she whispered, "Everyone should have a name," she said softly, "I don't understand. Yesterday, I found you boring because you had no power, but today you are interesting…why is that?" she asked quietly.
"Perhaps you did not realize the things I could do for you. It is easy to misjudge people by their exterior. Appearances are deceiving," he replied calmly. Eris stared into the pool. Perhaps this hunchback was right about many things. She would have to find him a name. For some reason it was important for him to have a name.
"I must confess, I do not care for the master," Eris said softly. The hunchback did not seem surprised. He nodded, "Yes. I don't care much for him either."
"Then why do you serve him?" Eris asked confused. He turned his had to look at her.
"Why do you? Isn't it the same reason I do?" he asked. She looked even more confused.
"I serve him because it is the only way I can kill Hunter without getting interrupted by bystanders and her sisters," She replied, "Why do you?"
"I serve him because I have no choice. It is what I was raised to do and even what I was born to do. Once he decides that one will serve him, there is no way out," he said solemnly. Eris was stunned.
"What do you mean no way out?" she asked her eyes wide.
"He will never let you leave. If you do manage to escape, he will find you and torture you and eventually kill you. My…my brother was the only one to ever escape him. The master found him and made me take part in the torturing. When I look back at it now, it was horrible, but then…I was trained from birth to serve the master in all his wishes. I actually enjoyed it, and for my heart was hard, and I served dutifully because I not only feared him, but I did not now any other life. When my brother was brought back here and when he was nearly dying, he told me of another life, another possibility. I realized then what was really going on," the hunchback shuddered, memories of a life Eris did not know he had had. True she did enjoy suffering and the misery of others, but wasn't that what she was? Her name meant discord and she was a demon. In short, it was how she instinctively lived. She wanted to kill Hunter, though she was still unsure of yet, why. Perhaps it had been the real reason why she was created. Perhaps someone, or something, had been guiding the hunchback's hand as he stirred the potion. So she could not only to steal the girl's soul for a brief period of time, but also to tear life from her body, and render her dead. Eris did not know why she hated Hunter or why she felt the need to send her life spinning into utter chaos. She did not know what Hunter possessed that she needed what the girl subconsciously knew that she absolutely had to know. Eris did realize that the hunchbacked servant was telling the truth. That the master would more then likely not let her go. She guessed that he knew that she wanted to kill Hunter, and was stringing her along just so he could get total control over her. She would not let that happen. No one could control her, or tell her what to do. Listen to yourself, you sound like Hunter! Eris scolded herself. She did not want to be like Hunter; in fact Hunter was the last person she wanted to be anything like.
"Why…why did you mess up on that potion?" she asked her creator. He thought for a moment. "I guess I just wanted to foil the master's plans. It's also because of my childhood. I was never very good at mixing things together. I suppose I am a little to much of a jackass to actually be nice to anyone." Eris smiled, truly the first time she had done that sincerely.
"So where do we go from here?" Blade asked before showing off her teeth in a yawn. They had somehow, but rather inevitably gotten lost again. It was a corridor that seemed familiar, but none of them could place it. Silver rolled her eyes at Blade's yawn. "We follow the yellow brick road, that's what we do." Hunter gazed at her and Blade from the corner of her eyes.
"The yellow brick road?" she asked. Blade shrugged.
"I wonder where the guards are? Shouldn't they have patrols or something?" Silver muttered suspiciously.
"I'm gonna go on ahead and check around for any hostile natives, you two catch up with me when Blade starts to move again," Hunter said poking fun at her sister. Silver nodded, but Blade ignored her and sat down just to annoy her. Silver joined her. Hunter continued down the hall careful not to alert anyone unfriendly. Before turning the corner she waited for a few moments, waiting for something, but nothing came. She followed the corner, and saw no one around. Silver was right. There should be guards somewhere, but where were they? Caution overcame her, and she removed her combat boots right then and there. The noise they made on stone was to loud for comfort, and she didn't want anyone to hear her. Although she did admit to herself that she was getting paranoid it was better safe then sorry. Hunter moved on, limiting her hearing to the area around her. She didn't realize that these halls were shorter, and turned another corner without really realizing it. She slammed into someone, lost her balance, and found herself on the ground before she realized it.
"I always knew you'd end up beneath me," Hunter didn't even have to look up. She knew that voice all to well. He was smirking, she knew he would be. Her upper lip curled into a sneer, before pushing herself to her feet. Dilandau made no move to help her. If he had, he might have found himself without a hand. She looked him straight in the eye.
"Get the hell outta my way," she snarled angrily. Dilandau didn't change any facial expression, nor did he move. Hunter nearly growled in anger and exasperation.
"Make me," Dilandau mocked. Hunter closed her eyes and smiled maliciously.
"I am so glad you offered," She said before proceeding with a quick jab to his face. She was not at all happy when he easily stopped it. He did not release her wrist. She glanced at his hand and realized with some shock, it was wrapped around to perfectly fit the bruises. Why should I be shocked? He made them in the first place…
"Let go of me," she ordered calmly, on the verge of real anger. Hatred shown in her eyes, an emotion she rarely showed. He didn't. Instead he studied her, mainly her clothes. At least she hoped it was her clothing he was studying.
"You're traveling…" He said it as a statement not a question. She scowled indignantly.
"No, I'm just…cold. It's a lot warmer where I come from," Hunter said defiantly. She knew she wasn't very convincing, he didn't believe her. The raised eyebrows told it all.
"What? It's true! Silver once told me that the human body is comfortable at about, seventy some degrees, and it's a hell of a lot colder then that," Hunter protested indignantly.
"I doubt that," Dilandau replied skeptically. She started to chew on the inner layer of her cheek to keep from physically lashing out. Her only link to control usually lay with focusing her mind on something else. Pain often did just that. Suddenly he reached out with his other hand. Hunter nearly jerked away in surprise, but he merely moved the cloak to reveal the sword.
"A sword? Since when do you carry a full length sword?" he asked, his voice not even puzzled. Hunter almost screamed. He knew. He knew, he knew, he knew! She started to swear in her mind, and unfortunately swore at the wrong nerve or perhaps even a vein. Hunter! Such language! She grimaced, unaware that she didn't do it mentally, but instead physically. She also didn't notice Dilandau's questioning gaze. I do NOT have the time for this! Eris seemed to be pouting. It distracted Hunter, even though it was false. Look Eris, you've messed with my life enough. Please, please, please, don't do anything now! She could almost feel the mocking grin, and suddenly decided to use her only mode of defense. She started to think happy thoughts. Um…vanilla ice cream, getting a horse that actually listens to me, uh…beating Blade at cards, outsmarting Silver, kissing Dilandau…
"Woah, woah, woah! That is not a happy thought!" Hunter gasped outloud before she could stop herself. Eris started to laugh in her head. I think my work here is done…for now… Hunter gazed at Dilandau fishing for an explanation to give him. Finding none she tried another approach. "Uh…I'm sorry, I just…got a little distracted. What where you saying?" His eyebrow raised even higher before he reached out and took a hold of her sword's hilt. She wasn't ready for this, but didn't move away from him mainly because he was still gripping her wrist pretty tight.
"Swords. Since when do you carry one?" he asked again. Hunter's brain froze. What could she say? Say you feel naked without it. I am not saying that!
"I feel naked without it?" she asked before she could stop her mouth. She winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Eris started to laugh again. Dilandau smirked.
"Really? And why exactly weren't you wearing one yesterday?" he asked wickedly. Hunter remained clueless, and the first thing that came to mind just happened to be something she did not want to say. And it was also something Eris told her to say.
"I wanted to feel naked then?" Hunter flinched almost painfully the same time Dilandau's smirk got even more cocky and confident. "No! No, I…I didn't mean that! …Bad choice of words?" she finished weakly. She pulled her wrist away from his grip and surprisingly he let go. However his hand remained on the hilt of her sword. She didn't meet his gaze, not really wanting to. Eris I will get you for this! The demon-girl just continued to laugh at her.
"I, um…son of a bitch this day, no this week, no let's go ultimate, this month just can't get any worse can it?" she asked herself angrily. She hadn't really intended to say that out loud, but she did. Hunter still didn't meet Dilandau's eyes, nor did she really plan to. She felt tired, and even weak. Perhaps she needed more sleep, or maybe Eris drained it out of her. "Or maybe I just need to eat something," she muttered under her breath. She ran her fingers through her hair before shaking her head, trying to clear her thoughts. It did her absolutely no good. She needed backup, fast. Her mind was filled with jumbled thoughts, one absolutely different from the other. Hunter tried to think of a way out of this mess, but none came. If Dilandau let her go and continued on his way, he'd find Blade and Silver. If he didn't, Blade and Silver might barrel around the corner before they realized that this escape plan was falling through. Already. Hunter gnawed on the inside of her lip, drawing blood. Maybe I could distract him? Eris had left, though Hunter wasn't sure why. This was the perfect time to make this year even worse. Suckiest year of the new millennium. Suckiest month of the suckiest year of the new millennium. Suckiest day of the suckiest month of the suckiest year of the new millennium. Her thoughts jolted to a halt when Dilandau's gloved hand forced her chin up and her eyes to meet his.
"Uh…I'm going this way," she said before trying to brush past him. She stopped short at the hiss of her own sword being drawn. That wasn't what stopped her however. "Look I'm sure you don't want to see my guts so get that sword the hell away from me…got it?" she snarled.
"What happened to you?" Dilandau asked mockingly, "I thought you once told me you were the best…the best of the best." Instead of being angry with him like she normally would've been she was merely puzzled…and shocked.
"I…I don't know, okay? I just don't know!" she muttered heatedly. Obviously he had expected physical anger, so he did nothing as she slid away from the sword and walked around it and Dilandau. He caught her wrist and pulled her back.
"Liar," he accused. Hunter exhaled sharply.
"I answered your questions so let me go!" she demanded. Dilandau opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Blade whipped around the corner. She wasn't wearing a cloak, like Hunter and her eyes widened at the sight of him. Or so he thought.
"Oh, ah…Hunter? Silver was asking for you and she passed out…so I thought I'd come find you," Blade said. Puzzlement was easily readable on Hunter's face.
"How exactly did she pass out? She was fine last time I saw her," she asked. An emotion neither Hunter nor Dilandau caught flashed in Blade's eyes. With sudden movement she lunged at Hunter and caught her by the throat. Hunter jerked back in surprise and hit her head against the wall. That contact and the pressure Blade was putting on certain veins caused Hunter to black out. She collapsed right into Dilandau's arms, barely missing chopping herself in half on her own sword. Blade's face was frantic.
"Go in there!" she hissed pointing to a door, "please! She'll wake up in a few seconds and then she's gonna kill me!" Blade ushered Dilandau into the room and shut the door behind him. With a simple twist of her hairpin, the door locked. A smug smile flickered across her face as she went to get Silver. In the back of her mind she only hoped that Hunter would realize why she did what she did. I guess I can always blame it on Silver. It was her idea after all. She whisked around the corner and down the hall. She joined Silver and helped her to her feet. Silver questioned her about how the 'plan' went. The only answer she got was a devious grin that splashed across Blade's face. Silver followed Blade back from the way she had just came. She stooped and grabbed Hunter's boots on the way. Blade stopped short in front of the room where she had locked her sister and Dilandau. At first Silver thought it was because Blade wanted to be sure that they weren't killing each other, but she realized that it was more of a surprise stop when she finally was able to make out what they were saying.
"What's it for?" she heard Hunter's muffled voice ask. Silver exhaled a sigh of relief. She was awake, and apparently not mad.
"What else would it be for?" Dilandau snarled back. What was it? What could possible peak Hunter's interest so that she didn't sound angry?
"Well…take it off," Hunter replied. Blade let out a startle exclamation, though it wasn't very loud, and Silver covered her mouth in horror. Did she hear her sister right? Had she just ordered Dilandau to take something off?
"Excuse me?" Dilandau asked sounding incredulous. Silver felt faint, but a bit of relief at Dilandau's shocked tone. Maybe he wouldn't listen to Hunter's bizarre order. Wait a minute…he's a guy, why would he say no? Her throat felt as if it was sealed shut, and she couldn't force any sound out of her throat.
"You heard me. Take it off!" she sounded a bit impatient, and Blade leaned against the wall for support. Silver considered doing the same thing, but her legs were rooted to that spot.
"Do it yourself," Dilandau snarled, sounding annoyed. The dimly light hall hid Silver's face, though Blade's paleness seemed to glow in the dark light. Blade looked like she hoped they weren't talking about what she thought they were talking about. Unknown to her, Silver was hoping the exact same thing.
"Okay I will," Hunter replied haughtily. Silver stared at the wooden door. After a few moments she heard what sounded like something hitting the floor, though she couldn't really distinguish the cause. Silver had a pretty good idea what it was. A low whistle followed the clang, causing her to wince slightly. She was so horrified that she didn't notice footsteps coming towards them. When she did realize that the two of them weren't alone, she didn't know what to say to Folken. He was just about to ask something along the lines of, what are you doing here, but Hunter cut him off, "Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun…" Silver suddenly unstoppered her throat.
"NO! Hunter don't do it! Blade open the door!" Blade, however, was still frozen to the wall, "Somebody open the goddamned door!" Silver yelled hysterically. Folken stared at the door, and it suddenly blew in. Dilandau was leaning against the right-hand wall his arms crossed over his chest. He stared at the wooden door that was now in splinters, looking slightly amused. Hunter, on the other hand, was shocked. Her eyes wide, she stood over an open crate with a stick of dynamite in her hand.
"Hasn't anyone heard of knocking?" Hunter asked still staring at the shattered door. Silver stared at her relief washing over her in a giant wave. Blade had dislodged herself from her wall. She entered the room and narrowed her green eyes at her older sister. Hunter caught the look.
"What?" she asked confused. Blade clenched her teeth, and looked at Silver, as if to say, 'you want this one?' Silver shook her head.
"What? What'd ya mean what? You nearly gave me a heart attack! 'Take it off," Blade snarled, her voice mimicking Hunter's. Hunter stared at her, trying to figure out what she was talking about. She heard Dilandau snicker, and her eyes widened.
"You're blaming me…for your perverted mind?" Hunter asked incredulously. A small smirk played across Silver's lips. Blade couldn't think off an answer to that, so she stayed silent.
"Well I guess this is as good a place as any," Folken muttered under his breath. "Dilandau take Hunter and brief her on the war. She'll fill in her sisters," he said out loud. The teenage general opened his mouth to protest, but Folken was gone before he could say anything. He scowled darkly before grabbing Hunter's arm and jerking her out of the room not even allowing her to get her boots. Blade stormed away in the opposite direction, leaving Silver to her thoughts.
Dilandau shoved open the door to his quarters, and Hunter followed close behind. It nearly the same as yesterday. The table, the throne, the stone lion. Only difference sat in the throne on the dais. Hunter had a hard time containing her groan. Cassandra, or rather Princess Cassandra sat there. A look of disappointment that flickered over the blonde's face at the sight of Hunter standing besides Dilandau.
"Yes?" Dilandau asked, his voice sounding neither pleased, nor angry at her presence, something that made Hunter a bit nervous, though she didn't know why.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought, well, if you were alone…" she murmured suggestively. Hunter rolled her eyes, a movement that did not go unnoticed by Cassandra. Her blue eyes blazed, but she said nothing about it. Dilandau studied her, annoying Hunter to an even greater extent, something the Princess also picked up on. The girl stood and approached Dilandau.
"Oh well…another time perhaps?" she said before passing him. Still the warlord said nothing. Cassandra glided out the door, leaving Hunter and Dilandau alone. Hunter loosed her gripped fists. She walked over to the table and smirked at the fewer number of maps on it. She ran her eyes over them once again.
"So what's this war about any…way?" Hunter asked, but when she looked up Dilandau was gone. She spun on her heel and faced the smirking general.
"What else? Power, control. It's what the emperor wants, and it's our duty to get it for him," Dilandau replied. Hunter's eyebrows raised in skepticism.
"Our duty? Who said anything about an our?" Hunter replied. Dilandau smirked.
"You serve Zaiboch now, girl," He replied calmly. Hunter sneered insolently.
"Like hell I do. Elephants'll fly outta my ass before I ever work with you," Hunter said haughtily. Dilandau's smirk widened, and his red eyes seemed to dance with excitement. He leaned in till he was about an inch from her face.
"You do realize that I can kill you for saying that. It's like saying you're going to betray us before you actually do," he whispered wickedly. Hunter didn't even flinch.
"Are you threatening me?" she asked incredulously. She started to laugh, and was caught off-guard and vulnerable. Before she could react, Dilandau had jerked her away from the table. She nearly lost her balance, but was able to remain on her feet. When she looked up and prepared to attack him, he backhanded her and she did lose her balance. He straddled her waist quickly and yanked a dagger out of his boot. Her arms were pinned to her sides, so she could do nothing to defend herself. Dilandau toyed with his dagger lightly running it along one of his fingers.
"Well, well, well. Isn't this interesting?" he asked cockily. Hunter narrowed her eyes in anger, but she could do nothing about her predicament. She cursed in silent anger at her foolishness and her sudden weakness in fighting back.
"Get off me," she snarled. He appeared to be considering it.
"Beg," he ordered in a malicious tone, a wicked grin covered his face.
"What?" Hunter asked, not sure she heard him right, hoping she didn't, but knowing she did. He leaned in like before, but this time he pressed the dagger to her throat as he whispered orders to her, "Beg, Hunter. Beg for forgiveness for the fact you just said you're going to be committing treason. Beg that I don't kill you. But most of all, and probably most important to you, beg for Silver's life," Seeing the puzzled look on her face he continued, "She is my prisoner, Hunter, and I can do with her what I please. And if you don't do exactly what I say I'll kill her, and believe me its going to be slow, and very, very, painful."