Next chapter, up in a flash, just like I promised, ne? Perhaps I'm just expressing my increasing Dilandau withdrawl. You'd think one of the main characters would be in each Vol. at least ONCE ne? Who else votes Vol.6 SUX??? Well, I've only got 2 more to go, but I'm sorta dreading it. I like my Dilandau as his current 100% male self, thankyou! Kudos to Celena though, not like its her fault^.^()
And for those of you thinking "She hasn't seen the whole series yet?" I'm a crack addict when it comes to spoilers, although I *did* figure out Dilly's lil secret on my own, only afterwards did I read into it.
Jebuz I chatter so, well enjoy the fic and as always:
Be Kind Re Wind-ack-*VIEW*!.
~Sarah~

Chapter 5-Sweet Surrender


"It doesn't mean much
It doesn't mean anything at all
the life I've left behind me
is a cold room
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith
betrayed me
and led me from my home"~ Sarah Mclachlan



Serryn stared at the red eyed Zaibach general, her mouth dry, opened in disbelief. She closed her eyes, laughing softly. "You may be a skilled warrior Dilandau, "she said bitterly, "But you're a horrible liar."

"Am I?" he countered, stretching his arms out behind him, popping a few joints.

"You tricked me before, and I'm not letting you do it again."

Dilandau's eyes narrowed in anger. "I never tricked you," he said in a low and dangerous voice, "Get that through your fucking head."

Serryn opened her mouth to yell at him, but cried out instead as her grip on the iron bar slipped slightly. "Shit!" she gasped, "Oh gods..." She reached out her other arm, trying to grab the bar with it, but the way her shoulders were positioned made it impossible for her to reach it.

Her breaths came faster as little by little her grasp slipped. She looked up trying to get a better view of the railing, and a surprised yelp escaped her lips when a gloved hand suddenly appeared in front of her eyes. She followed the hand up to the face of it's owner.

"What the hell is that?" she demanded.

"It's my hand, "Dilandau replied in annoyance, "Take it."

"No, "Serryn said defiantly, turning her face away.

"Serryn..." his voice was low and calm, but the pupils of his eyes had contracted to slits, "Don't be an IDIOT."

Serryn's heart seemed to skip a beat, and her eyes wandered back to his face. It was the first time he'd ever addressed her by her name. She studied his eyes. They were still expressionless, but for a moment something flickered in them, something that was there and gone before Serryn could identify it.

She glanced back at his hand masked in black leather and red armor. 'Think about Aria,' a voice in the back of her mind whispered, 'Give her hope.'
Serryn closed her eyes. 'Ok.'

She lifted her own free hand and placed it in Dilandau's. His fingers closed around it firmly and she felt herself being pulled back up onto the balcony, into his arms. Serryn stumbled slightly, moving her arms to push herself away from him, but was almost instantly overcome by a wave of exhaustion. Now that her body was no longer struggling to keep her alive, it demanded sleep. Her legs felt like they were about to give out on her any moment.

As she calmed her breath, Serryn looked up into the silver haired boy's eyes. "Thankyou..." she mumbled, her eyes half closed. His expression was mildly amused now and his lips moved in reply, but whatever he was saying was lost to her as she slowly slipped from consciousness, sleep desperately seizing control of her body.

The last thing she remembered seeing before the world faded away was a puddle of liquid on the cobble stone floor that had caused her to slip. A puddle that reflected like a ruby in the early morning light.

****

Dilandau's smug expression faltered for a moment and his eyes widened in surprise as the girl collapsed in his arms. "Stupid," he muttered, clutching her forearms to keep her from falling. "Fine time to fall asleep."

A single thought crossed his mind at that moment. 'Why?'
He had had that arduous, poor excuse for a princess at his mercy. He could have killed her a hundred times over by now. He had WANTED to. But he hadn't...
Dilandau dismissed the thought momentarily as his ears became aware of footsteps closing in on him.

He turned, shifting the girl to where he was supporting her back and legs with both of his arms, and faced to door right at the moment it burst open.

"Lord Dilandau!" Chesta, who headed the group of Slayers exclaimed as he and the rest of Dilandau's men rushed into the tower room. All five of them filed in one by one. Gatti, who brought up the rear walked a little dizzily, a hand placed tenderly over a very purple bruise on his forehead.

All the Dragonslayers fell silent upon seeing the seemingly lifeless princess in the arms of their commander.

"Um...Is that the princess, Sir?" Migel asked, struggling to keep his voice toneless.

"No Migel, it's Emperor Dornkirk. He decided to drop in for a surprise visit," Dilandau replied, glaring at the brown haired boy in disgust.

The Slayers exchange several confused glances. "Of COURSE it's the Princess you morons!" Dilandau shouted, his hand clenching the girl's shoulder tighter then he probably meant to.

Migel broke into a sweat, gulping, "I-I meant Sir, is she dead?"

Dilandau frowned, and let out a small sigh to the Slayer's relief. "No. I've decided to take her prisoner for the time being. Folken may want to ask her a few questions."
'And maybe it will help him forget my slightly hasty disposal of the Queen herself,' he added silently.

Stepping forward he lifted his arms and dumped the girl's body into a very surprised Chesta's arms.
"Take her back to the Vione," he ordered, making his way through the small group which quickly parted for him, "After you've taken care of her, you are all to report to the throne room for further orders." With that said, the red eyed general disappeared down the stairs, the echo of his footsteps fading away.

The Dragonslayers all simultaneously let out large sighs of relief.
"Well, THAT was weird, " Guimel stated, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Tell me about it," Dallet laughed," Since when is he concerned about what Folken might want?"

The other's shrugged. "I think he likes her," Dallet added, grinning.

"You think EVERYONE likes EVERYONE Dallet. But don't let him hear you say that," Migel warned," he'd kick your ass before you even finished speaking."

"Um...GUYS!" Chesta, who'd been silent for the passed few moments suddenly spoke up, his face turning several shades of red, "Could...um, could someone fix her shirt...PLEASE!"

The other slayers looked up and immediately burst into laughter. Poor Chesta was doing his best not to look at the girl's upper torso, where her shirt had been pulled down to where, had she been conscious, she would have fixed immediately.

"I think CHESTA likes her!" Dallet hooted.

"WooHoo! All right Chesta!" Viole exclaimed slapping the blonde boy on the back.

"GUYS!!"

****

Serryn's eyes were open wide, but she could see nothing around her, just empty black space. Her eyes then wandered down to her hands. She gasped, her stomach convulsing. Both of her hands were covered in blood, reaching all the way up to her elbows. It dripped from her fingers forming puddles on an invisible floor.

The puddles shone, light reflecting from them, contorted and broken like shards of glass. Though she looked, Serryn could find no source of light. She suddenly heard a cry from behind her, turning just in time to see the back of a woman as she fell to the ground. As her body hit the floor, the woman's head snapped back, allowing Serryn to see her face.

"Mother!" Serryn cried, running to the side of the fallen queen, but it was too late, she was dead. A deep gash in her side seeped blood. "NO! Mother!" Serryn pulled the queens body into her arms, burying her face in her mother's dark hair, sobbing. The sound of footsteps caused her to look up. A dark figure was approaching, sword held to it's side, shining in the same invisible light. The tip of it also dripped blood.

Serryn grasped her mother close, trying to back away. The figure grew closer. She struggled to see it's face, but it was cloaked in shadow. All that was visible was a set of eyes, inhuman eyes that glowed crimson.

"NO!!!!!" Serryn screamed, lurching forwards. She sat gasping for breath, sweat beading on her forehead. It took a few seconds for her vision to clear, but when it did she realized it was no longer dark, and she was alone.

She was lying in a bed. Blinking Serryn looked around. A bed in a fairly small room. The only light came from a gas lamp sitting on a table next to her. It cast eerie blue and black shadows throughout the room.

"Where am I?" Serryn whispered, dangling her legs over the side of the bed. She winced slightly, the sore muscles in her arms and legs reminding of previous events.
She knew where she was.

Her first reaction was to search for her staff. But it was gone. In fact she couldn't even remember when she had had it last. She laughed softly at her incompetence, but her face slowly grew serious.

"So I lost," her voice stated in monotone. Serryn grimaced, 'I'm such a coward,' her mind berated itself.
'And yet...I'm still alive. Why?' she wondered, remembering the rage in Dilandau's eyes. 'He had every reason to want to kill me...'

Her thoughts were interrupted by a clicking sound as the door to her room slid open. Light that was slightly brighter then the one in her room shone in and she recognized the face of the boy who stood there.

'Gatti,' she remembered, and smiled seeing the large bruise that still adorned his forehead. That was some condolence.

"Lord Folken would like to see you, "he stated, "Please follow me."

Serryn nodded getting to her feet and followed the Dragonslayer out the door and down the hallway. They had been walking for a few moments when she decided to speak. "So, who's this 'Folken' guy anyway?"

Gatti glanced at her sideways, smiling slightly, "He's the commander of this ship. His orders come directly from Zaibach's Emperor."

"Oh..." Serryn replied smirking, "Dilandau's boss?"

Gatti was about to reply, but the words suddenly caught his throat. Serryn looked ahead and paled slightly. Dilandau was walking torwards them. Gatti came to a halt, instantly saluting.
"Lord Dilandau." He said acknowledging his superior's presence. Dilandau glance briefly at him, but he gaze rested on Serryn. When he spoke it was to Gatti, but his garnet eyes never left her own pale greens.

"Where are you taking her?" he questioned.

"I'm taking her to see Lord Folken, sir. The Stratagos has requested an audience with the Princess." Gatti replied.

Serryn's face was calm and expressionless, but underneath she was seething. She hated the way the both of them spoke like she wasn't even there.

"Return to your post, Gatti, "the silver haired general commanded, "I'll take her to Folken."

Gatti looked like he was about to protest, but Dilandau shot him a quick glance, and the Dragonslayer swallowed and nodded. "Yes, Sir!" he spoke turning around quickly and walked back the other way.

Dilandau waited until the Slayer was out of site, before turning and walking in the opposite direction. Serryn took a few quick steps and was soon shoulder to shoulder with him. She thought for a moment, but pressed her lips tightly together. Her message was clear: 'I'm not speaking to you.'

Dilandau smirked slightly, but he agreed with her as he also remained silent. The pair stayed that way until the Dilandau came to a stop outside a large pair of doors. He entered a code into the key pad, and the doors slid open. The young general stepped inside the room, and Serryn followed, a bit more cautiously.

It was a large room, also lit with the dim blue light of several gas lamps. The furnishings reminded Serryn slightly of the study in the Conilia palace. The only difference was where the wood had been replaced by stainless steel.

A man sat a desk in the corner of the room. He stood upon their entry, and Serryn studied him. He was very tall, clothed in a long black cloak. His greenish-blue hair almost blended in with the color of the lamps. His face was stolid, though his eyes seemed kind. A great sadness seemed to surround him, that much she could tell.

"Good evening, Princess Serryn Conil, "He greeted her, "Please have a seat."