Hitomi and Nathen are still heading for the village, but danger again changes Hitomi

Hitomi and Nathen are still heading for the village, but danger again changes Hitomi. The dragon is taking her over and killing. Can Hitomi live with the knowledge?

Of course that is there to make you want to read the chapter and I hope it does. Please read and review fanilia

The Crusade is traveling eastward still, but there have been no sightings of the dragon or of the girl from the Mystic Moon. All this waiting is driving Van crazy. He is in the guymelth bay sitting on Escaflowne, deep in thought. He takes off the pendant, holds it out and sits staring at the stone, wondering where Hitomi is now. Suddenly the pendant starts to glow, a soft green color and swings to the east.

Van: "Please, Hitomi let it be Hitomi."

Night is coming to the forest; the sounds of the night creatures are starting as the sunsets. Nathan enters the camp to the sight and sound of a crackling fire. Hitomi is sitting near the fire drying her hair. She doesn't turn when he enters she already knows it him.

Nathen studies her sitting there quietly by the fire. She has to be a goddess; her beauty is so compelling it draws him. No human or animal he has ever seen has the exquisite body and innocent face that she possesses. "I better make sure she keeps wearing that cloak, men would kill for her"

Hitomi looks over at Nathan and smiles.

Hitomi: "Tell me about your village. I have met cat folk before and I had the impression there weren't very many of you. Two I met were warriors for Zieback, they died because of Dornkirk. The other is my friend, her name is Merle, but I haven't seen her in three years, She was an orphan, found at a burnt out cottage by the King of Fanilia, Lord Guald."

Nathen: "Her family must have been protectors. They are families that live out away from the main villages, sometimes long distances. They protect the balance of the forests, watching out for the land and the animals. In recent years though, many have been driven out or worse by the greedy land poachers."

That sad expression overtakes Hitomi's face; Nathan can tell she is again thinking of the men the first night. He has said the wrong thing, so he changes the subject, hoping to bring back her smile.

Nathen: "You will love my village, it is on flat open land partially surrounded by fields and forests on three sides, and the mountains to the East."

Hitomi: "The Elders there are you sure they can help me?"

Nathen: "They know of many things, of myths and legends. Many have studied the history of not only our village, but many of the peoples of Gaea. Here eat, tomorrow we will be there."

Hitomi: "Thanks, Nathen, you are a good friend."

They eat the meal together, Nathen talking about the days hunt, of his family and anything to keep Hitomi from becoming sad again. The fire is dying down to embers as the two settle in for the night.

It is very late the moons hang low in the night sky. The sound of movement awakens Nathen. He looks over to see Hitomi. She has risen and looks to be almost in a trance, staring out at the night sky. She turns her head quickly as if listening to something only she can hear.

Nathen: "Hitomi, Hitomi!

She doesn't answer, doesn't even seem to hear him. Nathan watches as Hitomi is again surrounded by the strange green glow, the same as he saw the night he first saw her. She is changing again, becoming the green dragon.

Goldie circles the fire chattering as the dragon trumpets, extends its wings, and takes flight. In the distance near and far Nathan hears dragons. They are calling to the green dragon.

The village is alight with fires, some in the center, others the ransacked huts of the villagers. A lone woman hides in the brush on the outskirts of the village by the forest. The bandits landed hours ago, killing anyone who opposed them. Now they are celebrating. Most are drunk, but some are still up and dangerous. They had made the woman dance for them. When two began to fight, she ran and hid in the place she is now. If she is found, they will kill her, she is sure of it.

The men are coming closer to her hiding place now. Even if she doesn't move, how can they help not hear her heart beat? It is so loud, it's almost deafening to her ears. She can wait there no longer. She jumps and starts to run again, only to be caught by one of the men.

Bandit 1: "I found her. Lets get back before we miss all the fun."

He grabs her roughly by the arm, pulling her back toward the village. She starts to weep.

Bandit 1: "Be still woman you have kept me out here long enough."

As they reenter the village with their captive the surrounding countryside is suddenly filled with the sound of dragons calling. Several of the men stop and listen to the eerie sound. In the sky above the village a dragon trumpets, flying down low, fire shooting from its clawed hand. Both villagers and bandits run. The bandits head for their levi ship, in hopes the dragon will concentrate on the defenseless villagers.

The bandit holding the woman captive decides to take her with. As they near the ship, she screams harder, struggling to get free. The dragon lands, blocking the men's attempt for the ship. The bandit releasing the woman, but she is to terrified to move.

Bandit 2: "Let's get it, a dragon that small should be easy, and what a trophy."

He draws his sword, circling the beast. Several of the men with him, join him. All they need is an opening, and it will be all over for the dragon.

Thinking he sees the opening, one of the men attacks, charging from behind. He never lands his blade being caught by the dragon's tail. He is knocked aside. The other men charge, flames hit two as the dragon reacts. Another finds the mark, slicing into the dragon's arm. He jumps back as the dragon turns on him, but not fast enough. The dragon slashes thru his neck with its claws, severing the man's head from his shoulders. His body stands a few seconds longer, before joining the head on the ground.

There are only two attackers left, they brake off attacking and run for the ship. One looks back over his shoulder at the woman he is forced to leave behind.

The men reach the Levi ship as it starts raising into the air. There is a flash of blue/green fire from the dragon hitting the ship. Flame is engulfing the ship as explosions its hull. The ship crashes, the flames bright in the night sky.

The dragon turns from the ship looking directly at the woman. She stands there as is rooted in place, waiting for her death. She gasps as the dragon looks at her, the eyes. The dragon raises its head, and trumpets, extends its wings and takes flight back into the night sky. The woman looks up in amazement as a small golden dragonet joins the green dragon diving and swooping around as they fly off into the night.

Other villagers are coming out of hiding to join her as she watches the dragons fly past the light of the moons.

Woman: "A dragonmere has saved out village tonight.

Villager: "Dragonmere's are only legend."

Woman: " No it was a dragonmere, its eyes were human."

Nathen is sitting by the fire; the flames are leaping brightly now. When Hitomi changed and disappeared he built the fire up hoping she would return. Dawn is breaking and the sound of the dragons is drawing to an end. Hearing a sound Nathan turns to see Hitomi struggling to walk into camp. Goldie is circling her chirping in concern. Hitomi is once again the dragon woman. Nathen jumps up and rushes to help her. As he approaches he can see she is bleeding. Hitomi has been wounded. Nathen scoops her up in his arms taking her the last few yards to the campfire. He lays her down gently and goes to get supplies to clean and dress the wound.

Nathen: "Hitomi, what happened, you are hurt. Who did this."

Hitomi is silent.

Nathen: "Speak to me please, Hitomi, please."

Again no answer, Nathen can see she is crying silently, the tears staining her face. Nathen covers her gently with the blanket, being careful of her arm. Here drink this, it's gar broth, it will help your wound heal, and let you get some sleep. Hitomi sips the broth slowly and drifts to sleep. Nathen cleans and bandages her arm, while Goldie perches on a nearby branch, watching intently.

Nathen: "I wish you could me what happened to her. I don't like this at all."

Nathen is concerned that Hitomi may need him, but he too must get some sleep. He lies down next to her and after ordering Goldie to guard the camp, drifts off to sleep.