I wanted to Thank AngelGoddess, Gloria, and Noeliapineda2000 for responding I used parts of they're ideas to climb over my writers blocks thanks a Million you guys; and to every one else who took the time to share Ideas I appreciate you to.
Disclaimer: I don't own escaflowne or any of its characters
Chapter12: Is There A Traitor In Our Midst
Van was sitting in silent contemplation at the small desk in the corner of Hitomi's chambers. The slow creaking of the opening door went unnoticed to the ears of the young king. Van's hands were busy writing in a small red book going over figures and paper work his council had been hounding him to do while he was away. The piercing chill that connected to his side shattered his thoughts and made him jump up looking around to see nothing. A cold chill ran up his hand and he looked down to see a black frozen nose connected to Hitomi's beast. Van let his heart slow, as he was somewhat relieved to see the animal. Vision cocked her head to the side and gave Van a look that could visibly tell him she thought him strange. The young king grumbled inwardly and scanned the room for a diversion. His eyes stopped on the food trey in front of him. Slowly he stretched his hand over and retrieved a small piece of one of the vegetables and waved it at the animal. Vision leaned forward and sniffed a couple of times before backing away a grunt of disgust escaping her throat. Van placed the object back on the plate and pulled off a piece of meat grabbing the full attention of the animal. Van crept slowly to the door and gripped the handle looking around the corner for anyone. He tossed it into the hall. Without waiting for Van to move Vision sprung forward slipping between The Kings legs nearly tripping him. As soon as the dog reached the bait Van shut the door making sure he heard the click. A sigh escaped his lips and he trudged back over to the desk and shut his books and files placing them in a neat pile, then he walked over to the sleeping form on the bed. Van dropped into the plush chair next to the four-poster, then slowly he reached over and pulled one of Hitomi's hands to him and kissed it softly
"I'm sorry" A faint whimper emitted from the hallway door followed by an occasional scratch then a sorrowful howl. Van gowned inwardly and located the nearest pillow quickly placing it over his head. It wasn't long after he had fallen fast asleep the pillow dropping to the floor and his body slumping over towards the bed.
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The last of the suns rays disappeared behind the purple mountains taking with it its warmth that had now been replaced by the nights chilled breezes. A cloaked figure crept across the terraces of the immense castle going unheard by mans primitive hearing. He ducked in and out of the shadows till approaching the last of many glass doors. A gloved hand reached out and clasped the brass handle and slowly turned it opening the door cautiously, trying not to make a sound.
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Anthony sat silently leaned against a statue on the terraces when a quick moving shadow caught his sight moments earlier. The hooded figure flawlessly crept past him towards the chamber doors that were already known to him as Hitomi's room. Something was eerie about the form; something was dangerously familiar about the way it moved. He planted his feet firmly onto the hard brick, his thoughts solely concentrating on his feet not making a sound. Anthony knew he didn't belong there and he was going to find out why his instincts told him this. He caught the door before it closed and slipped in behind the prowler. When he looked around the attacker was no where to be seen. More silent than when a predator attacks his prey the assailant had a dagger to Anthony's throat and a hand covering his mouth
"Not a word, not so much as a sound" the voice barely whispered in Anthony's attentive ears. Anthony slightly nodded his understanding and the hand left his lips.
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The faint sound of vibrations from footsteps awoke Vision from her slumber. She glanced at the door lifting her ears to listen more intently. The steps went unmatched to the room's inhabitants. She pushed her nose to the crack at the bottom of the doors and sniffed vigorously until a familiar scent pierced her nostrils. Her throat began to vibrate letting a low growl brake the night's silence. Then without warning she attacked the door in a behavior that would have been thought only capable of a rabid beast, vicious and unnatural sounds spewed from the animal. Her claws stripped the fine finish away; her teeth tore chunks off the frame. Several times she backed away and charged using her bodies full force, each time she made contact the door would crack and splinter. Then she was back to tearing at it again.
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Dilandau dropped his cloak from his shoulders and held it in his left hand. He took it and shoved it into Anthony's chest
"Put it on!" He whispered his order
"What? Why?" Anthony asked almost inaudibly
"No questions" Dilandau breathed angrily pressing the knife harder onto his skin. Anthony did as he was told and soon was wearing the hooded cloak. A loud and unexplainable growling and snarling sounded across the room and the door began to splinter and slam against the frame. Dilandau cursed and shoved Anthony forward tossing the dagger at him, Anthony out of pure reaction tried to steady himself then catch the flying weapon
"I'll kill you Fanel" Dilandau screamed then sprinted to the exit onto the terrace leaving the doors open letting the night air pour in.
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Van was jarred awake, on his feet, and his sword drawn within seconds, his sights on the pounding door a voice still playing in his head. A loud creak echoed behind him he turned to see the balcony door open leaves blowing in onto the marble floors. Van caught a glimmer in his left eye and took a sideways glance at the long silver dagger grasped in a cloaked figures hand. He was standing next to the four poster almost hovering over Hitomi
"Stop!" He shouted "Move and it will be you who will die"
Anthony reached into the cape and was about to unhook the cloak, when a body collided with him tackling him to the ground.
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Allen was fully dressed in his uniform his sword drawn as he closed in on the end of the hall followed by castle guards and familiar crewman. They came to a halt at the sight of Vision in a fit of rage ignoring or unaware of they're presence.
Vision's eyes were set and vacant giving off an eerie glow; foam lined her jaws and the door, which was now mingling with her joining blood. The power and ferocity in which she was attacking was a quick reminder of the blood that ran through the beasts veins and why the Pit bull breed had bee marked a dangerous animal.
"Holly molely I ain't never seen an animal do this before" Reeden spouted
"Commander what's the plan?" Gaddes inquired
"The only thing that can be done" He spoke pensive. Allen positioned his sword and prepared to do something he wished he didn't have to do.
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Hitomi was watching Van attack an unknown figure she was somewhat disoriented and lost not knowing what was going on. She stood frozen till her eyes set on the half-eaten door. Hitomi took one last glance at Van then turned running to the door taking the knob in hand and letting the Pit bull free to join in the fight.
"Hitomi don't!" Allen started. Vision ran past her and to the brawl a few sniffs and she was on a trail taking her outside across the terrace. Allen watched the disappearing animal with some confusion before going to help Van. Van pulled the man to his feet and had him in a tight lock. Allen reached forward and pulled the hood down. Gasps filled the air and Van relaxed slightly giving Anthony a chance to breathe and escape his grasp throwing the cloak to the floor.
"I don't believe it" Allen breathed. Van glared at the man and clinched his fists
"What were you trying to do" Van growled.
"I wasn't going to do anything, Vision just went after the real assailant" the young King reached down and picked the dagger off the floor, it's blade covered in slightly aged dried blood.
"Then why were you holding this covered in a cloak standing over Hitomi!" Van snarled raising the knife for all to see. Hitomi gasped and started to back away her eyes locked on the stained iron.
"Hitomi?" Allen whispered. Everyone's attention went to the girl whose face held a look of absolute horror across its features
"That...that dagger" she whispered.
"Hitomi? Hitomi what's wrong?" Van demanded.
"No!" She pleaded "Please don't do this!" Memories came flooding back and Hitomi's eyes rolled back and she collapsed. Gaddes sprung forward and caught the falling girl.
"What the heck just happened?" He gasped while lying her down. Van was at her side in moments shaking the girls shoulders but he received no response, just the continuous fluttering of her eyelids.
Anthony thought on Hitomi's words, then he looked at the blade that lay next to Van. Memories of the moments in Hitomi's apartment flashed through his mind in slow motion. There it was the same ivory handle patruding from the leather sheath on Dilandau's hip. That's it, Hitomi was remembering her attacker, and that was the blade he used on her, the one that almost took her life.
"Van, Hitomi she's..."
"Silence!" Van spat.
"Van!" Anthony growled moving forward towards him, but he was stopped by hands gripping his arms and placing them behind him.
"What the...?" He glanced back to see palace guard placing shackles on his wrists.
"You're under arrest for the attempted murder of Lady Hitomi, and his Majesty Van Fanel King of Fanelia. You are guilty till proven innocent"
"Are you crazy, Dilandau's getting farther away while your wasting your time on this!" Van walked over to Anthony; Hitomi hoisted in his arms.
"I would have never believed it if I hadn't seen it. It makes one wonder now if you have been working as our enemy's ally. If you even had been the one who placed the knife in her chest in the beginning before we arrived behind you" He spoke with venom
"Never!" Anthony shouted "I could never do that to her!"
Van gave a look that spoke it's own words of hate as he turned to leave the room. Allen watched the guards drag Anthony away. He glanced over to the balcony doors questions still on his mind. We're they being to rash? The dog, Hitomi's loyal protector, did it know something they didn't? He sighed and went to close the doors. Something told him though that something wasn't right.
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AN: Yeah twelfth chappie done! I don't know if I like it or not. I think I like it but I'm worried no one else will Oh well I guess I'm soon to find out. Please review if you have time, I would really appreciate it. I hope to get chapter 13 out soon I already know what it's going to be about Yeah no more writers block for now anyways. I want to thank the people again who helped me it was your replies combined that saved my aching brain (smiles)
Dragon Heart