Hello, I'm back! Finally, right? Yeh I know I know, I took forever with this one, sorry about that, took way too many hours at work this week, next week will be better. I finally saw the last Vol. of Escaflowne, yeh i've been avoiding it for the past three weeks, i didn't wanna, but it was there in my hands and I COULDN'T resist! ^^() i know i'm pathetic, absolutly no will power. AND NOW IT'S OVER! Kapoot! Gone, bye bye! And all my favorite characters DIED! Ok ok...Dilandau didn't die, but he's till non existant right?? In my heart he died, but in my fic he lives on!! ::waves Dilandau flag:: Wow... my Celena's really different from the series one...should I make mine eat bugs or something....? Nah...this is MY story, and I like my Celena, she's fun...and she TALKS!! Oh BTW...I'm already planning a sequel for this fic...and guess who it stars! It not who you think... hehehe ^-~
ok, enough of me and my insaneo ideas, read now, have fun!! Review! ::blows kisses::
~Sarah~


Chapter 16- Discovery

"Like anyone would be
I am flatter by your fasination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted and object to crave
But you...you're not allowed
you're uninvited
An unfortunate slight" ~Alanis Morissette



Serryn was walking down a dark hall. It seemed to stretch on forever, having no ends, no turns. There were no lights. A dim glow lit her way, having no obvious origin. It lit the path she walked and dispersed behind her. She came to a door.

It slid open at her touch and she stepped inside. The moment the door closed she wished she hadn't. It was the same room. The same desk, the same bed. Serryn gasped, backing against the closed door. Dilandau was there as well.

He was standing by the bed facing her, but it took her a moment to realize he wasn't looking at her. He didn't even acknowledge her presence. Instead he gazed at the figure who stood in front of him. A girl, but Serryn could not see her face, only her back. Dilandau seemed to be listening, and a grin stretched across his face. When he spoke she could see his lips move, but could hear no voice.

The young general reached forward then, shoving the girl onto the bed. Serryn could see her face now, a horrified expression crossing it. The princess's hand flew to her mouth. It was her on that bed. She was seeing herself, and Dilandau...
'No...' her mouth moved but her voice never left her throat, 'I don't want to see it, not again...' She turned franticly looking for a way to open the door.

There was no door now. Just black empty space. No way out. Her body seemed to take control of itself from her mind then, and she found herself turning back. Her eyes widened. Dilandau was kissing her mirror image, but despite how hard she'd tried to forget it, she KNEW she'd never had her arms wrapped around him like that. And she was kissing him back. Even from this distance Serryn could tell.

She watched as her hands wandered up his bare back and neck, then weave through his silver hair. 'This is wrong!' her mind cried, 'this never happened...' She couldn't move, couldn't turn away, her body was frozen. She tried shutting her eyes, but she could still see.

Her vision blurred for a moment, and when it returned she was on the bed. It wasn't some mirror image she was watching from a distance now. Just her. She was looking into Dilandau's garnet eyes now. They were half lidded and flooded with an expression Serryn hadn't thought him capable of. He regarded her as if she were something precious he never thought he'd ever lay his eyes on. Like if he looked away it would mean his life.

It frightened her. More then anything else she'd ever known. But she wasn't frightened because she feared for her life. She was frightened because she did not understand. 'Why is this happening?' she thought desperately as hands she no longer controlled pulled the silver haired general closer to her. As lips she no longer controlled kissed his shoulder, his neck, his mouth. 'Why am I doing this...why is he?'

Dilandau's hands had wandered down to her waist, his fingers brushing gently against her abdomen. But Serryn didn't feel his soft touch. Instead she felt a burning pain, beginning from where his fingers grazed her skin, and spreading throughout her entire body. It was the pain that woke her.

The first thing she became aware of besides the pain was a pair of deep blue eyes, surrounded by dark hair. "Aria..." she whispered her voice hoarse. The eyes snapped up, widening.

"MAMA!!" The shout caused her to cringe as her ears added to the barrage of pain she was already experiencing. Noise was bad right now. A door flew open and thudded against a wall, flooding light into the small dim room. Serryn's eyes squeezed shut. Light was bad too.

"Mama! She's awake!"

"Hush Madine! Don't shout, I'm right here," a woman exclaimed, bustling to the bedside. Serryn stared at the little girl, blinking. No, it wasn't Aria.

"Are you all right dear?" the woman asked, her voice softening as she stared intently down at the princess.

Serryn moved to sit, but the pain increased ten fold making her head spin and her stomach heave. She moaned, quickly lying back down. "My side..." she breathed through clenched teeth.

"Yes, you have a nasty gash there. But don't worry, you're going to be fine. The bleeding's stopped and we cleaned and bandaged your wound," the woman explained.

Serryn nodded, still slightly dazed. Her eyes widened suddenly. How long had she been asleep? Dilandau would be looking for her, she knew. If he found her here with these people, what would he do?

"I have to go!" she spoke, again trying to lift herself from the bed, trying her best to ignore the pain, "I have to...I HAVE to..."

The woman's hands were on her shoulders, pressing her back into the bed. "Shhh, hush now, you're not going anywhere right now. You NEED rest," she said, her voice kind but firm. The little girl placed a cool cloth on Serryn's forehead, glancing at her nervously.

'No...' Serryn wanted to scream, 'you're in danger, I have to leave...before it's too late...' But once again she felt her consciousness slipping. The woman and the little girl faded away, leaving darkness. And dull, throbbing pain.

****

"WHAT??"

Celena cringed, stepping hastily away from Dilandau as he jumped up from his throne, his expression furious. "What do you mean she didn't come back with you???" he demanded.

"I thought she was with you!" Celena exclaimed, "The last time I saw her was after that big explosion. She was with YOU Lord-" Celena's head snapped back and she fell to the ground. Her hands flew to her now fractured nose.

Dilandau growled, his fist still balled. "I'll just have to find her then," he shoved past the blue eyed girl and exited his throne room. 'Stupid girl,' he mused, storming down the hallway, 'she probably got lost or something. Or maybe she tried to escape," Dilandau chuckled, 'if that's the case, she'll regret it.'

But a thought crossed his mind. What if she was dead? He shook his head frowning. It wouldn't matter to him. If she was dead it would only prove she was weak and useless. But the thought of losing her disturbed him. 'She's doing it again,' he thought, 'she making me feel strange again.'
But he wasn't sure anymore. WAS she the one making him feel like this...or was it just he himself?

"This is crazy..." he muttered, entering Folken's laboratory. Perhaps it was just his luck the Stratagos was already there along with one of the cat girls.

"Eryia's just past this lake right here," Folken indicated on the map of the country, "she's perfectly fine, her melef was just damaged. You can go to her and see if she needs help, but don't take too long."

"Oh course Lord Folken," Eryia purred, bowing her head, "Thankyou, I am very grateful. I will not be long at all." She turned and headed for the door. She passed Dilandau, giving him a quick smug smile. Dilandau's teeth clenched as his eyes followed her out the door.

'So Folken's little pet thinks she's better then me?' His fists clenched, 'I'll show her a thing or-'

"Did you want something Dilandau?" Folken's voice brought Dilandau's mind back to attention.

"Yes," he replied, "I needed to know-"

"The princess is alive, I have her location right here," Folken interrupted.

Dilandau blinked. "That's not why I'm here," he lied frowning, damned if he'd let the Stratagos think he'd figured him out, "I just wanted to know how long it will be before we can move on."

Folken raised an eyebrow, but shrugged. "I'm not sure," he replied, "We weren't able to locate the royal family"

Dilandau's mouth dropped, "What??" he exclaimed, "They escaped? Do you mean to tell me all the fighting we've been doing for the past thirty-six goddamn hours has been for nothing????"

"Not entirely... information from the prisoners we took tells me that the Duke of Therra was never actually in the city in the first place," The Stratagos explained, "he and his family are currently visiting a cousin in one of the southern countries. But don't worry, chances are he hasn't received word of the city's fall yet."

Dilandau calmed down some. "It would have been nice knowing this BEFORE we actually went down there stratagos," he commented anyway, scowling It annoyed him all the same.

"Would you like to know the princess's location now?" Folken asked

Dilandau's eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms, attempting to look indifferent. "Fine whatever, It's not like I have anything better to do right now."

"Well actually-"

"Oh shut UP Folken!"

****

Serryn's eyes fluttered open. Sunshine streamed down on her through the lace curtains on the window. She blinked confused, as she gathered her surroundings, trying to make sense of just where she was. Then it all came back to her. The battle, Dilandau telling her to run, the blood seeping through her fingers from the gash in her side.

She shoved the blankets away to examine her waist. The top part of her uniform had been removed and white gauze wrapped around her torso, from above her navel to below her shoulders. The pain had thankfully subsided. It only felt like a large bruise now.

"Must not have been that bad," she murmured, standing up, "Where am I?" she wondered looking around. It was a small bedroom, containing only the bed, a rocking chair in the corner, and a wooden chest. Dolls sat upon the chest, the sun shining over their painted cloth faces and yarn hair. Serryn vaguely remembered a little girl, and a woman now.

"This must be their house," she realized, and smiled, "They helped me." She spotted the clothing folded on the rocking chair then and relief swept over her. "Finally I can get out of this awful thing!" she laughed walking to chair.

Serryn quickly discarded the tattered uniform and picked up the white sleeveless dress and pulled it over her head. The light cotton fabric felt wonderful against her skin. Grinning she headed for the door to give her thanks to her hospitable hostess.

The door opened into a warm kitchen. Pale afternoon sunbeams shone thought the widows, catching particles of dust in their light. The air smelled of hickory smoke and dried leaves. Herbs were tied to the low rafters to dry, hanging over a woman who stood by the wood stove stirring a steaming pot. She turned hearing Serryn's footsteps.

"Hello there," she smiled, "are you feeling better now dear?"

Serryn nodded, "Yes I am, Thank you SO much, you saved my life."

"Oh don't thank me," the woman said, "I did what I had to do. I'm just happy you've recovered." She noticed the dress Serryn was wearing then. "I hope the dress fits all right. I'm sorry it's a little cool for this time of year, but it's the only thing I could find that looked like it would fit you."

"Oh it's just fine, "Serryn assured, "Its so much better then that horrid thing I was wearing. The woman nodded looking as if she agreed fully.

"Please sit down," she waved at the table with the wooden spoon she held, "you must be starving!"

Serryn nodded taking a seat at the table while the woman leaned out the open door to the house.
"Madine!" she called, "Time to came in! Madine???"

The sound of running footsteps followed almost instantly as the small girl tramped into the house. "Mama, I got some more spices to dry and I found this pretty flower down by the river, you know where that big frog swims a lot? Can I press it into your book Mama?"

The girl took notice of Serryn then and gasped, hiding behind her mothers long skirt. "Madine!" the woman exclaimed, smiling slightly, "Stop that, this is our guest! Forgive me dear, My daughter Madine is a little shy around strangers. Oh, and my name is Narina" she turned her gaze to Serryn, "What was your name?"

"Serryn," she replied, "Serryn Conil."

Narina nodded turning back to her daughter, but stopped suddenly, "Serryn Conil? PRINCESS Serryn Conil??" At this Madine poked her head around her mother's skirt, her eyes shining with interest.

Serryn blinked nodding, confused at Narina's surprised expression. "I thought I recognized you!" Narina exclaimed, "Oh my goodness Princess! Everyone thought you were dead! After your sister told Duke Therra you were captured by the Zaibach-"

"My Sister!!" Serryn jumped to her feet, "You mean she's alive?? Where is she?"

"Well, I believe she was staying with the Duke at his palace in the capital," Narina started but paused when she noticed Serryn's horrified, "what is it princess?"

"The capital's been destroyed," Serryn replied softly, sinking back down into the chair, "By the Zaibach empire." She didn't actually know this for sure, but there hadn't been much of a doubt. Conilia had stood a better chance against Zaibach, and with what had happened to IT'S capital, Therra didn't stand a chance. She'd lost Aria once again.

Narina's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh gods..." she gasped, "When did this happen?"

"Last night," Serryn replied, "I think...it was the same night I was injured, I didn't sleep more then a day, did I?"

Narina shook her head, "No you're right it was last night...Those damn Zaibach..." Madine's eyes widened not used to her mother using such language.

"Mama!" she exclaimed in a scolding voice. Naria blinked, glancing down at her daughter.

"Oh I'm so sorry love, I didn't mean to say that" she assured her daughter and turned her gaze back to Serryn, "So they're the ones who attacked you then, right?"

"I, well...um," Serryn stuttered. She couldn't tell this woman she's was a part of the Zaibach...could she? 'No, I can't. She'll think I betrayed her, and the both our countries...I can't.'

Thunders struck suddenly, shaking the small house. 'Oh gods! Their here!' was the first thought that crossed her mind.

"Oh no, not another storm!" Narina exclaimed glancing out a window. Serryn was suddenly aware of how dark it had become inside the room, the sun was gone. Relief flooded her features.

"It was sunny just a few moments ago," she commented joining Narina at the window. Dark, boiling clouds blotted out the sun now, and the wind was picking up, whipping the two women's hair around.

"Yes, I know, they never come with a warning. One minute the sun's shining the next it's raining buckets," she explained, "it's all ways like this, this time of year."

Another clash of thunder rumbled in the air above them, followed this time by a bolt of lightnign streaking across the sky like and electrical vine. "Madine, quickly! Go make sure the horse is in the barn, hurry before it starts raining," Narina said pulling the windows closed.

Madine nodded, rushing out the door. "Be careful!" Narina called out after her, her voice almost lost in the now howling wind. She and Serryn then proceeded to secure the rest of the doors and windows.

"Miss Narina...my sister, what if she died? Do you think they could have escaped?" Serryn asked closing the last window, her voice hesitant, dreading the answer, but suddenly hope shone in the older woman's face.

"Oh my! I can't believe I forgot!" Narina was smiling, "The Duke wasn't in the city, nor was any of his family. He always goes to visit his cousin in Cala during the fall season. This is wonderful!"

Serryn's heart was fluttering with relief and excitement. "I have to go to her!" she exclaimed heading for the door, but Narina caught her arm.

"Now Serryn don't be foolish. Look at it outside!" she gestured towards the open front door. Rain was falling now in heavy, opaque sheets, "Cala's miles from here, wait till it clears up. Plus it's getting late. Stay the night, that way you'll be rested for the trip tomorrow." Her voice was a firm and almost motherly tone.

Serryn sighed and nodded. The older woman was right. 'Besides,' she reasoned, 'Dilandau wouldn't come looking from me in this weather...'

Thunder sounded once again, followed by a shriek. Madine came running into the house, her entire front covered in mud. She giggled watching her mothers mouth drop. "Look mama! I took a mud bath!" she laughed.