Celena sighed, twirling her fork in her food. Brother hadn't told her about Dilandau Albatou or
Folken, in fact, he'd changed topics rather quickly, commenting on her garden. "Celena, the irises
look lovely. They go so well with your eyes, you really are a wonderful gardener. Who would've
thought, my little sister has a natural green thumb." She smiled at him, shaking her head. It
was all she could do- he could be so over-protective at times...
"Brother, those are lilies, not irises. The irises are the tall ones over there, see? Next to the
cherry tree and daisies." Allen looked over, a smile across his face as he glimpsed over her little
garden by the breakfast room. He'd given it to her two years ago, after she'd recovered from
her illness. She'd studied books and talked with the head gardener, Bowen, who helped her
develop the natural ability she had with flowers. Bowen built her a little path through it, as well
as a small pool where brightly colored fish would swim in the afternoon sunlight, their scales
glinting like gems in the sun. The color of flames.... Brother had brought her a small blue and
purple bird from one of his trips to the southern posts of Astoria- he'd said it reminded him of
her when he saw it. They put it in a golden cage to hang from the window sill so that it could
chirp while they ate but still enjoy the warm fragrances carried on the breeze from the garden.
It also kept the little thing away from the clutches of the many cats that roamed the estate,
not to mention Allen's owl Archimedes. Brother had gotten her a kitten while she had been sick,
saying she had a way with animals. Pandora, the little kitten, kept her company while Brother
was away, as did the little bird. Though the two pets never got along well, she kept them apart,
and eventually she made them get used to each other. Pandora was roaming the gardens at
that moment, drifting from one plant to another like a dappled grey ghost. Like the shadow of a
memory long forgotten... She brought her gaze up quickly as she realized Allen had been saying
something to her.
"I was thinking that instead of going there, which I know you don't like, we could go to Fanelia.
We've been invited by Van to go stay in the castle while they celebrate his two year coronation
ceremony as well as the completion of the rebuilding of Fanelia. King Aston suggested I go and
represent Astoria for him, as both he and Princess Aries will be busy at that time. He thought I
ought to take you as well, I know how much you enjoyed going to see them last time." They had
gone with a merchant party to discuss trading policies almost a year ago, and had spent a
week in the capitol city. They had met Van and Merle, who had given them a tour of the city and
shown them all the building projects and new additions. Van had been rather quiet around her,
but Merle had been very forthcoming and kind. She had befriended Celena, which had made it
easier for both Celena and Van when Allen had to discuss business and couldn't be with her.
Celena couldn't put her finger on it, but whenever she'd caught Van's eye, he had seemed almost
apprehensive. Twice his hand had gone to his scabbard before he realized she wasn't about to
jump at him, and this seemed rather peculiar to her. But, Celena had written it off as an oddity
of then king- royalty and such were allowed them, for who was to say they couldn't? After all,
King Aston disliked the color purple, so there were very few things in Astoria's castle that had
any shade of it about. Maybe King Van didn't like strangers wandering the castle unattended.
Or maybe he hadn't liked the color purple either. Whatever it was, he was always courteous, but
cautious. She found this funny, but she didn't mind. She'd written to Merle several times after
that, and was always curious whenever Brother had news of the two. His latest news made her
sit up, coming out of the daze her Brother's talking had put her in. She smiled prettily, actually
excited and enthusiastic.
"Oh, may I go , Brother? We haven't seen Merle or Lord Van since last purple!! We really need to
see them more than once a year, you know! Have you told them we'd go? When do we leave? Howl
long will we stay this time? It will be good to see them again! Will Queen Millerna and King Dryden
be there as well? And the crusaders? And what about... um, what was her name again, Brother?
Hilary?" A shadow crossed over his face, and Celena realized almost immediately that she'd
made a tactical error. However, Allen quickly recovered his smile, though it was a bit more
distant.
"Hitomi. Her name was Hitomi. And no, she won't be joining us." He added this softly, gazing out
over the flower's tops to the fields beyond. Celena looked at his dreamy but sad expression,
then thought of something to make him snap out of it.
"When do we go shopping?"
"S-shopping?" Allen's bright blue eyes turned to stare at her softer blue. She smiled inwardly to
herself, she'd rattled him quite a bit. She giggled and patted his hand.
"Of course! You can't expect to go to the festivities in that, now can you?"
"Celena, I'm supposed to represent my country-"
"Oh, pish posh, Brother!! I'm sure King Aston wouldn't want you to wear the same thing the
whole time you're there. Your uniform will get smelly. You can't wear it all the time, you need
some variety in your life. Now, when are we going?" He gawked for a few moments, then laughed,
squeezing her hand gently.
"Alright, you win Little Bird. You can go shopping with Ellen tomorrow." She looked at him and
pouted, something she was always able to use to melt him to her cause. If the knight of heaven
had a weakness, it was soft, teary eyes, and a look that could make even the most hard
hearted melt. Both Celena and Millerna had found Allen could be turned to see their way if they
used the expression. And, like it had every other time she'd pulled it off, it worked.
"But... Brother... you won't be coming with me?" He sighed, shaking his head.
"I can't, Celena. I have to leave tonight for the western post. I need to make sure everything is in
order before we go, but I'll be back in a few days." She put her look into effect.
"Can't you come back earlier?" He almost winced- he couldn't resist the well played look, and he
knew it.
"Well.. Maybe I could return a few days earlier..."
"Tomorrow." A pout and a trembling lip made Allen break.
"I'll be back tomorrow evening. But in the meantime, Gaddes will be with you, in case you need
anything. Go with Ellen and Gaddes tomorrow, Ellen will know what you'll need and Gaddes
needs to resupply the Crusade anyway. Before you ask again, no, they won't be coming with us-
they have to take Millerna and Dryden to Chid's birthday celebration. He'll be turning ten.." Allen
got the misty-eyed look again, and Celena sighed. Allen had told the young prince when he'd
turned nine about his patronage, but Chid had merely stated that the duke had been his
fatherly figure, so while he appreciated hearing the truth from Allen, he hoped that Allen would
understand how he could not acknowledge the fact publicly, for fear of what it might do to his
position. However, when the two had met earlier in the spring, Chid had spent time alone with
Allen, and when the two had come out, the boy had given Celena a big hug and called her 'Aunt
Celena'. Then, after a few awkward moments of silence, he had embraced Allen before leaving to
visit his Aunt Millerna and Uncle Dryden. Allen was upset that he could never show outward
affection for his own son, but was glad they were able to communicate back and forth. Allen had
sent his young son gifts whenever there was a holiday, and when Celena didn't approve of them
he allowed her to buy them. So, ever so gently, she touched his arm.
"Do you want me to get him something?" Allen looked at her, then smiled, relaxing a bit.
"If you don't mind.." She giggled and patted his arm again.
"Of course not! He's my nephew after all, and I'm afraid I know what he'd want better than you- I
supposes it's because I shop more, and also because I used to go with Mother to shop for you.
I'll leave it in your room tomorrow, so you can see it when you get back. Now, let's get you
packed so you can leave and be back sooner."
After about half an hour, Allen had been packed, sent off, and Celena was in her garden with
Pandora. She tended the small shoots, trying to keep her mind focused on the task at hand.
However, her mind traveled, and continued to fall back upon the dreams she'd had. None had
ever been so clear as last night, but she was sure they'd been connected somehow. She glanced
up when Gaddes interrupted her thoughts to tell her she'd been working for over six hours and
lunch was ready. A tiny plan popped into her mind, and she smiled prettily, preparing the set of
her next performance. She would get her answers, whether she got them from Brother or not.
After washing up, she sat across from her brother's second in command, who tried rather
awkwardly to strike up a conversation. He was in the middle of saying something about 'the
Boss always talks about you' when she interrupted, throwing him off guard.
"Gaddes, what can you tell me about Dilandau Albatou?" The man promptly choked on the
carrot he was eating, and coughed for several minutes. After getting control of himself, he
blinked watery-eyed at her.
"I'm sorry, Miss Celena. Must've heard you wrong. What did you say again?" She sat up
straight, trying to be as sure of herself as possible. Was this what the boy had meant when he
said people feared his name? She didn't know, but wondered what he'd done to create the terror
that was associated with it.
"I said, what can you tell me of Dilandau Albatou?" The man paled, and cleared his throat
uncertainly.
"Well... there's not much to say about him... He was a soldier of Zaibach.... killed in the war by
Van." She leaned forward, eager to hear him continue. However, he tried to distract her. "Now
tell me, Miss Celena, what were those pretty blue flowers you were working with? Sunflowers?"
She shook her head, determined not to have her answers left unspoken.
"Why did Van kill Dilandau? What did he do?" Gaddes blanched, but continued.
"Well... he destroyed Fanelia for one. He was crazy. He tried to kill your brother and Van several
times..."
"Why did he try to hurt them?"
"Well.. It was war, and they were on opposing sides. I guess that's why. I dunno, the guy didn't
like the boss from the start." She sat back, eyeing him levelly.
"Why did my Brother refuse to tell me this?" He started, beginning to swat and fidget
uncomfortably.
"Well.. Maybe he thought politics wasn't a topic a lady such as yourself should concern herself
in. Now, what were you doing earlier? Planting roses?" She sighed, sitting back and sipping her
tea. That was as much as she'd get from him, but it was better than Brother's silence. She
started up a conversation that the man had no interest in, but he was obviously desperately
seeking a new topic. All the while, however, her mind was whirring.
So.. You worked for Zaibach, did you? I wonder, does that mean that Folken worked for it as
well? That you were both my enemies? Why are you in my mind then, and not Brother? What
secrets do you hold, Dilandau? I'll have to ask you tonight, if you're there...
"Zaibach? Why do you want to know about it?" She was pleased to find him there in her mirror
again. Though it was odd to be talking to what had to be either a ghost or a glimpse of the
past, she was nevertheless happy to find him there that evening. This time, however, he had a
bandage over his right cheek, slightly bloodied. He seemed distraught over it, so she'd hoped to
lighten the mood by taking his mind off of it by asking questions.
"Well, I found out today that you worked for Zaibach, and I wanted to know more about it.
What's it like? Is it big? What do you do there?" He smirked at the innocence of her curiosity,
and downed more of the wine he had in his goblet. She'd noticed it was the same stuff from the
previous night, and when asking why he was drinking it when yesterday he'd denounced it and hit
sheep-boy for it, he replied that 'that had been over a week ago, what the hell was she talking
about'? He refilled his cup, sipping more before answering.
"The country of Zaibach is the most advanced on all of Gaia. It is very large indeed, almost a
quarter of the main continent. The capitol is the heart of operations; that's where the emperor
resides, and all of the technology of the country is created and produced. We are much more
advanced than any other country on the whole planet." He said this with an air of importance,
which made Celena smile a bit to herself. He was really proud of his country, even though some
of their rules seemed a bit strict. He continued, more pride in his tone than before. "Ever since I
was promoted to this position, I've been on the Vione, training my slayers." She smiled and
asked lightly,
"You're proud of them, aren't you? They really love and respect you, do you know that?" He
laughed, pouring his fourth glass.
"Of course they do! I made them what they are today- I pulled them from their pathetic lives as
peasants and weak nobles and trained them to be strong. They're my slayers- they know they
must obey or bear the consequences." She peered at him curiously.
"Were you of noble blood before you were a soldier?" His expression darkened somewhat, and his
hand went to his cheek, stroking it gently. The bandage bloodied further still as his caress got
harder as he got angrier.
"No.. I was an orphaned street rat, caught for stealing and sentenced to lose my life. The
sorcerers took me instead, and they said they'd make me a warrior for Zaibach. When I was five,
they ran some tests on me along with some of the other children there. People started to
disappear.. And those who came back were different. The last test I went through, I was with a
girl. When I woke up, she was gone, and I became the Enhanced Fate Soldier. ... It's odd, but when
I think back on it, the girl looked much like you- same eyes and hair color. She cried almost the
whole time I was awake, crying for her mother and brother and some beast-man. She was weak
and pathetic, like you." She frowned, but didn't interrupt. He seemed more open to talking,
maybe this was because he was drunk, or maybe he just needed to talk. Whatever the reason, he
took another sip, finishing off the bottle. Then, he grinned viciously. "Those fools wanted an
advanced soldier, and that's what they got. I grew stronger, taller, quicker, smarter. I quickly
rose to the top of my class, then I was promoted to Captain of the Dragonslayers. I chose
fellow classmates who I knew had potential, even though Migel, Gatti and Dalet can be asses
sometimes, and Chesta and Guimel are weak but intelligent. I took them away, and we became
the elite force of Zaibach- no, of the planet! All who see us tremble at our coming!" He added
this with a fervor she didn't think possible in his state, and secretly wondered if he was like this
when he was sober. Then, she decided to interrupt his ego trip and ask another question.
"What about my Brother and King Van? You've fought them, and they defeated your men twice!"
Upon hearing the young king's name, Dilandau's hand went up to his face again, and his lips
turned into a feral sneer. He stroked it again, pressing even harder than last time.
"Chiku.... Van....He scarred my beautiful face.. Damn you Van! I HATE YOU!!" He shoot up and
threw the now-empty bottle across the room, making it shatter into millions of tiny pieces. He
glared fiercely at the tiny shards, then turned his rage to her when she spoke.
"Dilandau, are you alright? I'm sorry if I-"
"Get out of here." The order was spoken low, fury giving it a nasty edge. She tired again however.
"But-"
"I SAID GET OUT! LEAVE ME ALONE!!" He grabbed the top of his mirror, sending it crashing to
the ground. The image flickered, then went out, leaving Celena alone again. She sighed, looking at
the now-blank mirror, shaking her head sadly. What had she done that was so terrible? Why did
Dilandau hate Van? Was he the one who gave him that wound? She sat watching her candle's
flame for a bit longer, seeking the answers to her questions. All the flame could do was provide
her a bit of company until she fell asleep. He was there, nursing yet another bottle of spirits,
slumped moodily in a chair. She pouted irritably.
"Will I ever see you when you're not drunk?" He didn't look up; he just continued to roll the liquid
in his cup. She walked over to him, keeping her distance. "I'm sorry I made you mad, Dilandau. Do
you hate me?" He laughed half-heartedly, downing another cup in a gulp.
"Begging for forgiveness..? I'm not mad at you anymore." She steeped up, more confused than
before.
"Than why are you so miserable? You don't seem well. Did something happen?" He stiffened
noticeably, but replied after a few moments.
"Migel.. He's gone. My first in command, captured- he was incompetent. The doppleganger-
DAMN FOLKEN FOR BRINGING HIM INTO THIS!-Zonghi.. He killed Migel. My slayers are upset,
and I don't blame them this time. We were invincible. But he died. I don't understand. We were
invincible, but he's gone..." He sat there looking dejected before Celena went over to him. He sat
rigid as he felt her contact, and stiffened even more as she hugged him tighter. When she
released him, he turned violent red eyes upon her. "Why the hell did you do that?" She smiled
sadly.
"You're so upset.. I know it makes me feel better when I get hugged, and you were almost
begging for one." She tried holding his hand, but he snatched it away.
"Never touch me again." She tried to protest, attempting to hold it again, but he stood up
quickly, knocking the chair over. "I SAID DON"T TOUCH ME!!'He tossed her aside as he tried to
go away, but was stopped as golden bars appeared around him.. He attempted to break them
by ramming them, but all efforts were futile. "Wha-? NO!! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME A PRISONER!!
NO!!" The bars began to shrink, and he shouted louder still, in fear of being crushed to death. A
sickening crunch sound was heard, and Celena sat bolt upright on the floor, looking dazedly at
the mess of the broken flower vase she was sitting in. The birds were singing, the sun was
shining, and Celena Schezar sat upon her bedroom floor; soaked, and terrified.
