Chapter Nine: Arrival
Flashback: "Why was Zaibach so strong Folken?"
"Our uncle was a genius at building technological devices."
" That's why father named you after him because you inherited his looks and brains."
"I think you did too. You seem to be always interested in guymeleffs."
A noise interrupted my sleep and I got up from bed and poked my head out the window. A black Zaibach vione was floating from a distance. People were pointing and whispering.
"Wake up!" I urged Alexis shaking her furiously.
"Go away, it's not like a big black ship is attacking us," she said irritated and threw her pillow at me.
"It's a Zaibach ship," I replied catching the pillow.
"What!" she bolted from the bed and climbed out to see the floating fortress.
"Zaibach has fallen and it has been peaceful since," I observed from my position.
"Exactly, come on let's find out," Alexis commented.
We rushed towards the battle. Since my father retired Escaflowne, he stored all of the guymeleffs and equipment in one area. Guards were rushing about us as I searched for the vione.
"Geoff, what's going on?" I asked a guard who was just rushing past me.
"Lady, it seems Zaibach has a broken ship and is requesting assistance," the guard addressed before running off again.
"What could they possible want?" I wondered out loud.
"Trinity!" Merle boomed. " Where are you?"
"Here," I replied.
She rushed up to me and said, " There you are, you must change your clothes to meet the new guest."
"I don't have enough time to change," I looked down at my blue shirt and dark green pants.
"This will have to do."
I ran off to the council room with Merle and Alexis at my heels.
"Our rudder has been broken and the deck needs mending. We are low on water and food. I ask of your aid your majesty."
This man's voice gave a strange feeling. I went with my gut instinct.
"How could a Zaibach floating fortress be damaged if it can be invisible?" I said harshly walking out from behind.
The man had gray eyes that suited his ash-brown hair and navy blue uniform.
"Not bad for a Dilandau copycat," I thought to myself as he approached me sinking on one knee.
"I am Thomas. I didn't mean to offend your uncle, princess," he said slyly lifting my hand to his lips.
His gray eyes meet my hazel and I saw a flash of blood followed by bodies falling down. I blinked rapidly and felt light-headed. I composed myself and replied coolly, "Charmed"
"Our fortress was hit causing the invisibility to disappear," he explained.
"Lord DeCour, since you have access to the supplies I will leave you the job of making sure the fortress is fixed," I said turning to him.
He regarded me for a minute and then bowed leading the Zaibach soldiers out of the room.
"Is he the one who you saw in your vision," Folken asked coming up beside me.
I didn't reply at first. I saw that my mother and Hitomi were standing on either side of my father as if they were ready to argue.
" I'm not sure, but I 'm going to find out," I finally said and strode out.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
"Trina, are you busy?" my mother's voice filled my ears.
I lifted the cloth form my eyes and turned to see my mother fidgeting with the folds of her dress.
"You want to talk," I guessed immediately sheathing my sword and sat on a stone bench.
She sat down beside me; her warm scent perfume filled my nostrils. She brushed a piece of hair away form my face and studied me.
"I'm rather surprised, your brothers refuse to budge," she said softly.
"They knew it was coming, so it's not like they had no idea," I said angrily.
"They didn't know you were serious," she replied.
"Oh, I 'm serious. Why can't they do the same thing to father?" I blurted out.
"I'm sorry," I said seeing the pain in my mother's eyes'
"Males of the family are suppose to fuss over the women. I can't say that to your father right now, I think he's trying to keep his distance," she said sadly.
"You will always be my mother no one can take that away," I insisted holding back my tears that started to stream down my cheeks. "Besides, Hitomi has her own daughter to take care of."
Her eyes were also filled with tears and she pulled me into a hug.
"Do you want to know the real reason your brothers are so overprotective?" she said sniffling back a tear.
"Desperately," I answered lying my head on her lap. She began to stroke my hair and told me when I was seven years of age; I wanted to test my wings. Naturally I was known to pull stunts but I had fallen because my wings were unstable and I fell ten feet to the ground. I was asleep for one week before waking up. I was about to ask her why my brothers were so concerned about that when my father walked in.
"Sorry for interrupting," he apologized.
I was wondering if he was listening to our conversation.
" I was just telling Trina about why her brothers are so concerned for her," my mother explained.
"Your brothers want to make sure you don't' do anything stupid so they have been all over you and no boy can reach you within one feet without their approval," my father chuckled.
"I'll never be free," I wailed,
My mother and father's laughs filled the air. They stopped simultaneously to realize they were actually enjoying a special moment together. I wished it didn't end but my father stammered that mother needed her rest so he was escorting her back to the palace. I felt the corners of my mouth lift up as I saw them leave together hand in hand.
"Trina, are you coming?" my father asked turning around.
"No, I think I will practice some more," I replied cheerfully.
"Don't work too hard," he warned and off they went.
