The Tri Elves
By: Aya Eliya
What if elves from Gaea were sent to the illusionary moon as babes, and found a way to return? This is the story of three elves, Ananda, Daley, and Rosalyn…
Disclaimer: I did not create elves, Escaflowne, Atlantis, or any other great accomplishments of Fantasy writing. Escaflowne belongs to the lovely people who own it as you read this, Atlantis was thought up by some great story teller I don't know, and elves are an ancient race who I found out about in JRR Tolkien's books. My morphed version of them is mine, along with the idea of having them on Gaea.
Thanks: Special thanks to Elven Princess, Joy King, and Dhanushka Mendis, and PyroFreak, who encouraged me to put elves and Escaflowne together. Or helped me make this fic what it is.
Notes: This is my first Esca fic, and I have not seen the entire series as it was intended to be viewed, so my information may be incorrect. When I have seen the entire show, I will revise my fic and edit anything that is incorrect. My chapters usually start out short, but lengthen later on.
This fic features the character Kei, who belongs to PyroFreak. I hope she comes out the way you wanted her to.
Yet again, I add something. The Zaibach youth is something I've seen in several different fics. I'm sorry if I stole the idea, I'll give credit if the author wants.
Flames policy: All flames will be given to Dilandau, for his enjoyment.
Chapter 3 – Kiren and KeiFLASHBACK
Kei was 5 years old when she decided she didn't want to wear the nice dresses, or go to the fancy parties, looking like mommy's little dolly. So she stopped being a nice little girl, and listening to her nanny. She decided she'd wear boy pants, like the boys. They got to climb trees, ride horses, and run. With all the petticoats and skirts and covers, Kei could barely move. So one morning, she decided she would sneak into her brother's room, and took his looser working shirt and his breeches. She took the stuff that was too tight. He never wore it, so never noticed it was missing. Not that he was given the time to realize it.
Kiren groaned, and rolled over. Kei had been in his room again. He forced his sleepy eyes open to see what she'd taken this time. A smile crossed the blonde boy's face. His breeches.
Kei was out in the meadow, laughing and rolling in the grass before they noticed she was missing. The sun hadn't risen yet, and Kei was very thankful for the birds that had awoken her. She wouldn't be out here in the cool dewy grass being just as boyish as she could.
A boy her age silently approached. Kei shrieked in glee. "Chesta!"
The boy smiled. "Kei, you didn't steal those, did you?" he scolded.
Kei shook her head solemnly, her thumb popping in her mouth, a habit she had when she became shy.
Chesta nodded. "Last one to the stables has to climb the roof!" Chesta's jaw dropped at Kei's implication. But she didn't give him a second to spare, because she would beat him if he didn't speed up.
But as the sun rose, Kei held a hand to her eyebrow, and squinted against the bright sun. Smoke flew in wreaths above the duke of Abernathy of Asturia's house. Chesta saw the flames, and forgetting Kei, ran home terrified.
Kei was alone in the world. She sat in the grass and howled.
Kiren heard the soft whoosh as the lit bundle of dry wood hit the roof. "Mama! Papa! Wake up!" he cried. He kept choking on the smoke, and couldn't call loudly. He stumbled into his parents' room, his eyes stinging. There was a knife, and bloody paths of blood against their throats. Kiren's own throat constricted. He didn't make a noise, but crept to the window. Chesta and Kei were playing outside. In the other direction, a Schezar carriage pulled away. He recognized Allen's older brother Aaron. He glared, but knew the youth didn't see him. The boy had killed his parents, and Kiren would not let the boy get away with it.
Hours later, Aaron Schezar lay dead, and Kiren and Kei Abernathy had disappeared. The death of the Duke and the knight's son, were believed to be related, but no one found out why.
Seven years later, Kei was staying in the market, stealing what she needed to survive. So she saw the knight Allen Schezar go from stealing handmaidens hearts while he trained, to duchesses, and finally to princess's. It disgusted Kei, and as the knight was curious about his kingdom, he noted the child's resemblance to the late duke of Abernathy, and suspected, but hesitated to act.
Kiren had plotted to kill Allen next, but the excitable young knight had promised the young murderer to make him a paige if he spared his life. Kiren had accepted, and said that when he could best Allen in battle, the knight's life would be over.
Allen was continually playing with girls. For the longest time, Kiren was confused by this, but when he watched what Allen did to the girls behind closed doors, he was disgusted. He fought harder, practiced longer, so that he could kill another Schezar.
"Paige." Kiren appeared, bent his head, and stood still. "Yes?"
It irritated Allen to no end that the boy wasn't a mindless pup desiring to please him, yet still seemed to have an intense hatred and desire to kill him.
"Take this message to princess Eries. And tell her that what I do with her sister is none of her concern."
A loud crashing clattering broke Allen's concentration. With effort he didn't usually didn't exert, Allen Schezar didn't yell at the fool who'd dropped something. Allen's eyes widened when he saw what the boy had actually done. He'd picked up the nearest piece of pottery, and threw it directly at Allen's head. A servant had raised a shield, which had kept the knight dust free. Allen's eyes burned. "Bring him to me. He is the killer of Aaron Schezar, and he will now pay for his actions." Allen clearly saw what the boy had done: he'd picked up the pottery, intending to smash it over the knight's golden head, and when guards blocked the way, he threw it anyway, just to spite him. He'd then ran off, and unless guards caught him quickly, he would not return.
Allen spoke into a grate. "Yes, this is a message for Folken Strategos. It concerns the two Abernathy children. They are not dead.
Kei grew into a lovely young woman who despised her country.
END FLASH
Kei looked at the flyer. Hm…I'm not male, but that hasn't stopped me before. She bought her supplies at a Zaibach outpost. The merchant had looked at her warily. Why was a girl buying a Zaibach soldier's uniform and sword?
Kei ducked into a corner, where she cut the long hair she'd despised, but never had the courage to cut, and untucked her shirt. She was thankful she wasn't maturing quickly, but she knew as soon as she was happy serving Zaibach, it would start, and she would die.
Kei shrugged. There are worse things than death. She smiled. Fanelia. If she remembered the talk right, Zaibach planned on razing the country. Now that would be fun to watch.
Dilandau Albatou sat on his seat before the lion. As usual, he was bored. His newest batch of potential dragon slayers stood before him, insolent. Dilandau sipped at his chilled drink. For dealing with potential recruits, he needed to withhold himself to a degree.
He thought of the next group, which would come bearing a gift: a girl from the illusionary moon. For some reason, a girl with a pink pendant and tarot cards was what he saw of the planet, and wanted to see no more, even if the girl was only in his nightmares.
The boys a good five years older than him bored him. They would show him no respect he knew. Dilandau acted polite for some unknown reason. Maybe he'd been bribed.
He stood. "Your training is excellent, but I think that you would do better as soldiers to the true empire, the force of our army. Please see Folken Strategos for further information."
A snicker caught his attention. "Strategos? The half-man? You little boys should just go home. If lord Dilandau doesn't want you, none of Zaibach does." The boys glared, looking at the unformed wastling.
He wore his shrunken uniform that fit his small frame, and looked decent, somehow not as pathetic as the 'boy' had thought. His hair had recently been roughly cut to his shoulders, a great deal better than other recruits.
Dilandau looked the boy over. He was unsure of much, but the mutual hatred for Folken caught the albino's attention. And finding another albino in the empire was rare.
Dilandau pointed. "You. Your name." The boy bowed, overly courteous, smirking. "I am Kiren Abernathy, sire. My departed family sent me to relatives, where they thought I'd join the Asturian army. But the Schezar boy disgusts me, so I left. Besides, serving an old decrepid king and a trio of princesses is dull."
Dilandau heard the sarcasm dripping in the boy's voice, and suspected he would be a clever liar, and have ingenious ideas on killing. "Any surviving family to try and stop you?" Kiren laughed. "I had a sister, but she didn't like me leaving the province, and I wouldn't let anyone stand in my way."
Dilandau smirked. Took killing lightly, and was about his age or younger. "Stand on my right. You are the first dragon slayer under my command."
Kiren Abernathy, son of an Asturian duke, intrigued Folken. He tapped into the Asturian records, and noted that it was believed the entire family had been killed in a fire approximately seven years ago. But Kiren would have been closer to 17 or 18, not 14 or 15. That closer fit—Folken smiled. Kei Abernathy.
Folken walked slowly, his cape dragging on the floor.
Dilandau saw him through the door, and rolled his eyes. The young general was impatient, and Folken would enjoy seeing him kill the Asturian duchess.
Of course, she was more valuable as a hostage to force Asturia to cooperate, but that wouldn't matter in the end. The king was weak. He would fall, either way.
Dilandau raised his arms in mock praise. "The great Strategos honors me with his presence!"
Kiren snickered.
Folken held up a printed record. "Tell me your name."
Kiren smirked. "Kiren Abernathy. Not proud of it, but that it is."
Folken smiled. "Are you sure?"
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Kiren's face. "I was born the child of Charles Abernathy, in the despised country of Asturia." Kiren spat the words out. "The Schezar knight gave me no end of trouble, insisting I find a respectable home and train beside him. I refused and ignored him. Eventually he threatened to go to the king, and I disappeared here."
Folken held up long white-blonde hair. "This was found near a crashed carriage. They spoke of a girl dressing in Zaibach uniform. Many people near this area tell similar stories. Can you explain this?"
Kiren stared at Folken, unblinking, not speaking, and loathing plain in the would-be soldier's eyes. "It is none of your concern." He finally hissed.
Folken didn't smile, but broke his gaze, and handed the file to Dilandau. Kiren let loose a dagger, and with a clang, Folken's metal arm fell to the ground. "Stay out of my life, Strategos. I would have served this army willingly."
Folken walked out. Dilandau eyed the boy, or as I can say now, girl.
As soon as Folken left, Kiren stopped muttering curses, and kneeled, revealing his neck. "I will not die by his hand, Lord Dilandau. If you do not kill me, I will take care of it myself."
Dilandau forced Kiren to his feet, and then slapped him hard across the face. "That was for lying for me. I understand that being a girl is far more difficult, and I respect that. A proper uniform will be made for you, Kei of Zaibach. Now report for basic 'melef training."
Tears shone in Kei's eyes. "Yes, master Dilandau!"
Folken smiled at the boy whose hair shone even in the darkest cell. "Your sister has come to us. How fitting, that both Abernathys' are under Zaibach watch." The boy glared, but said nothing.
"What were you doing in Fanelia?"
Kiren shot back, "Why did you raze them to the ground? If you answer that, I'll answer your question."
Folken smiled. "Emperor Dornkirk ordered me to."
Kiren hung his head. "I was escaping Asturia, where I killed a man. A knight, who had killed my family. In my lust for his life, I neglected my sister. So here we are."
Folken laughed softly. "Such a fitting end. As Dilandau will tire with your sister, by sunrise, we will have your executions arranged." Folken walked out, his cape collected in a pool as he walked away, the material silently sliding behind him.
Ananda snuck back into her cell. She smiled, thinking of the song. She smiled again; as she thought of the verbal war she was about to engage on Zaibach's young general. Today, she would finally be let out of the stinking prison where unseen things haunted her dreams, trying to force her into senility, but Ananda Kryos was stronger than that.
The boys that had caught her, a Chesta and Gatti, appeared at her cell door. "Lord Dilandau has asked for you."
Ananda threw an old skull at them. "Go away. I've had a long night."
Chesta gripped one arm, Gatti the other. "The matter is not in your hands, girl." Gatti said quietly.
Ananda smiled with contempt at Chesta. The blonde boy shuddered. "If you don't let me go, you will both be locked in that prison cell until you are found."
Gatti grinned at her. "And how is a mere girl able to throw dragonslayers like ourselves—"
But Ananda had dragged them the five feet they'd made progress to, kicked the door open, and with her free legs kicked Gatti, the stronger of the two, off, then flipped Chesta head first into the cell.
Ananda stood at the front of the cell door, faking Gatti and trapping Chesta. Gatti rushed at Ananda, and she moved out of his reach just in time. As the boy crashed into his companion, he heard the girl's laughter as she relocked her cell door.
Chesta shuddered, holding himself. "She isn't worth the trouble we have to put up with for her."
Ananda smiled to herself. It was so easy to rid herself of her guards. She'd freak Chesta out by carrying him to his cot when he fell asleep, cold and damp. Then he would awake in his own room, and Gatti would remain confused and upset in her cell. She decided to investigate the vione until Chesta and Gatti slept.
Dilandau watched as Dallet and Miguel appeared. "Chesta and Gatti. They did not come to the main hall with the girl. None of the dragon slayers have seen them, sire." Both bent deeply at the waist, before their master.
"Come forward." Dilandau's tone was even, but Kei's smirk made them aware that he was merely feinting patience. But their master bid them, and they obeyed.
SMACK! SMACK!
Both had the imprint of Dilandau's gloved hand on their faces. "Forgive us!"
Dilandau smiled. "Thank you for your information." The smile vanished, replaced with an angry face. "Dismissed!"
The boys hurried out.
Guimel appeared, trembling. "Sire, a strange woman came and deposited Chesta in his bed. There is still no sign of Gatti."
Dilandau waved his hand, and the boy happily left the premises.
Viole appeared. "M'lord. Your men have appeared. Both were locked in the girl's cell, but she used trickery to lock them in the cell and escape. They both were exhausted from attempting to escape, and slept, and Chesta was taken to his chamber for unknown reasons, and Gatti was left in the cell."
Dilandau had been sipping red wine from a cup Kei had prepared for him. Hearing this last bit of news undid him. He threw the cup at Viole, who used the crown of his head (or hair) to break it without harming his face, and hurried out.
Dilandau glared at Kei. "Finish the brat off. No one from this mystic moon should be alive on this fortress."
Kei nodded and ran out.
Ananda stopped and smiled. A skilled hunter was behind her. Listening carefully, she realized it was a huntress. Ananda smiled. To bring such a prize to her owner would surely gain Ananda her freedom. She didn't realize that the huntress was after her.
Kei listened carefully. The girl was climbing through some sort of ventilation system, she was sure of it. Unsure of where exactly still, the new soldier withheld drawing her sword a few minutes longer.
Dilandau was watching the two of them, smiling. The one that dies is weaker. It's for the best, as the other would never accept her rival's lordship. Dilandau watched the two girls, and an unknown feeling suddenly swept over him, watching the two screens. No, a general of Zaibach doesn't have such feelings. But there they were. He was greatly attracted to each of these women, and he'd set them up to kill each other.
A/N: Not how I wanted to do this chapter, but too late now. The next one will have more of Miguel and Rosalyn's relationship, and a little more intrigue on their threats for death. But for now, I'm tired of writing. Note again, I've revised this chapter, to include Kiren, who will become important in later chaps.