Part 14

The Hunt: Part 14
-ZibbelCoot


Disclaimer/Claimer:
All Escaflowne characters, places and such are ©1996, ©1998, ©1999 TV Tokyo, Sunrise. English adaptation ©1998 AnimeVillage.com and the dub version they tried to pass off as anime belongs to Fox I guess. However, Zorya Pele, Syrun, Galese, Takaru/Ricpen, Latro, King Kaele, Korent (as well as the places Celet and Hiwero) are my mine so ask if you want to use them. The song (the English and translation) is also mine so please don't use it without asking!

Author's notes:
Same as last time, happens 2 1/2 years after Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea.
And the contest is over! Judges are working around the clock to determine who the winners are (because I couldn't pick, they were all so well done! And I'm looking for a few more judges too...). Also the only reason this is out so soon is because my beta is going on a much needed vacation and I was inspired by all the fanpics. That means you'll have a good long wait until part 15. And thank you to whoever nominated me on Sasami's fanfic site. The Hunt may get an award for best action fic! And *very* special thanks to Vanessa St. Cloud, Mother Love (I demand more sketches! ^_^*) and GoldenEagle for pestering me to get this out.




Zorya stretched and accidentally opened her cloak slightly. Cold air rushed into the warm air pocket she'd created in her sleep and she shivered. The scent of pine covered her completely along with a few other winter smells, such as animals struggling in wet fur to dry. She'd thought it would be easier to go south, to find the dragon forests. The sorrel was no more than ten feet from her, his hooves pawing through the snow to reach what little grass was beneath it.
Careful not to let in any more cold air Zorya pulled out the map from the pouch at her hip. Okay, we're here and they're there. Don't suppose you know how to get there do you? she called over her shoulder to the horse. It snorted in response and continued to graze. Zorya hung her head slightly and looked down at the map in her hands.
She'd rushed through sketching it from one of Celet's atlases. Zorya turned it to the side and then upside and nearly let out a cry of frustration. It could be a map of a whole other continent for all she knew! No, it has to be of this area. All I have to do is keep going south, isn't that where the books said the dragons were?
The sun just began to peek its head over the mountains on the Hiwero-Celet border. So that's east, at least I hope its east, she said facing the sun. She looked over her shoulder, where the horse was still grazing. So that's west. Zorya moved until her right side pointed at the sun, while her left side pointed in the opposite direction. So this has to be north... and that is south!
The horse whinnied at her statement, whether out of surprise or agreement Zorya didn't know or care. She turned around and gave herself a minute to study her ride. A gelding most likely, and couldn't be more than ten years old. What am I standing around here for, we've got a lot of ground to cover, she said quietly, more to calm herself than the horse.
Its head came up from what little grass was left, his dark eyes on her. She pulled the saddle off the low lying tree branch she'd flung that and the other packs on. The horse took a step back, his ears to the side. Oh come on, you let me put this on you yesterday!
He stomped his foot in response and Zorya frowned. If the horse didn't cooperate she could be here for an hour trying to get the saddle on. Come on, there you go, its not going to hurt you, she cooed in the voice she'd used on Latro the day before. Unexpectedly the sorrel relaxed the second she said those words. There you go, you're a good boy aren't you? she said as she tightened one last strap and pulled down the stirrups.
She could barely hear the sound of another horse, probably to the north of them. No sense in being an easy target for bandits... Zorya snatched up the remaining two packs and flung them onto the horse's back. As quickly as she could with he now nearly numb fingers Zorya secured them and pulled herself into the saddle.
Zorya looked about the tiny clearing that had been their camp for the night and shrugged, she didn't have time to cover up the fact that they'd slept there. she whispered to the horse and leaned forward, urging the gelding into a smooth canter.
The sorrel obeyed with a toss of his head and pulled them out of the forest and back onto the trade route's road. Zorya looked about her quickly, just to make sure she was going south for sure. As the distant hoof beats stopped, or were too far behind for her to hear anymore, a lump formed in the pit of her stomach. Would killing a dragon be as easy as Latro said? Just how big were those things anyway?
She doubted they were smaller than a cow, what challenge would there be in killing an oversized cow lizard? Stop thinking negatively! I'll do just what Latro said and come back to the castle. How hard can it possibly be?


The dragon leveled the puny thing before it with a cold stare. It seemed every year at this time more and more foolish pink things would disturb its territory. The pink thing waved something shiny at it and the dragon snorted. What good was a tiny thing like that against something twenty times its size?
The male allowed his eyes to look about him for a moment, a strange scent in the air. He snorted the air about him deeply, and momentarily forgot about the pink thing in his territory. A draconic smile, if one thought the way he pulled his lips back from his glistening teeth was a smile, pulled at his muzzle and he lifted his snout higher. Yes, a female in heat.
A deep rumbling filled his chest as he let out a low roar, an announcement to the dragon he'd smelled only moments before. A higher, more warbling, roar answered his own and the male began to turn towards it. At least he tried to until the tiny pink thing rushed him. He felt a tiny prick in his side, which warranted nothing more than a low hiss.
With a speed that beguiled his size the dragon faced the pink thing, its shiny stick gone probably still in his side. The dragon rose up on his hindquarters, his snout pointed at the sky. A faint warm red orange glow on the trees around him was the only warning he gave to the intruder. A moment later he released the gases from his fire lungs which ignited on contact with the air about him.
A high pitched shriek filled the air, much like a rabbit or small animal caught in a trap. The dragon brought his head down only to see the pink thing wasn't completely pink anymore. Half of it was brown and red while the other half retained its original color. The high warble called to him again and the land dragon tilted his head to one side and then the next as a low hiss escaped him.
The puny intruder had no forewarning as his head fell downwards, his powerful jaws on either side of the tidbit. They snapped shut on the half cooked meal, the pitiful rabbit scream still coming from it. A metallic liquid pooled on his tongue and the dragon swallowed quickly as he turned once more to the female in heat. No one ever intruded in his territory, else he taught them not to just as he had taught the pink thing.


Dilandau held onto his horse's reins, sheer willpower the only thing that kept him from falling off and being trampled beneath the stallion's hooves. He sorely doubted that his horse would even trample him but, it was always a possibility. The horse faltered beneath him, a clear indication of how long they'd traveled without so much as a break to breathe.
The stallion's dark coat was covered in sweat and lather, a danger since they were still in Celet's borders and on the snow ridden trade route. The horse slowed slightly and Dilandau gave it no kick or motion to make it regain its former speed. He was so tired, he didn't expect to stay up for nearly twenty-four hours straight.
The sounds he'd heard before, the faint whinny and the sounds of hooves on the road were gone now and Dilandau could only assume they'd gotten ahead of him. He's planed on interrogating them as to if they'd seen Zorya or even Latro's horse if she'd been bucked. Dammit, this is not how it was supposed to go!
Angrily, Dilandau forced himself to stand up in the saddle and pulled on the reins. His tired charger eagerly moved to the left, into the lining of trees along the route. It certainly was not the safest place to rest but it was something. The trees would provide some cover, their green needles impervious to the cold around them.
The horse continued forward through the trees, his rider hoping to find a break in them somewhere... It couldn't be luck that allowed him to find the tiny clearing, snow pushed away by fragile hands and desperate hooves. To one side the snow was cleared from the ground with green bits just barely poking their heads above the white stuff. Dilandau's eyebrows went up as he pulled on the reins.
This had to be done recently. His eyes trailed the footprints and hoof prints in the snow; they headed south... Dilandau dismounted his stallion, his legs aching as he tried to walk around the clearing. The footprints were just the right shape for the boots she wore. He cursed under his breath as the realization hit him. That was her! If we'd only been a little faster...
Dilandau's right cheek began to twitch and he put a hand against his skin to halt it. He'd been so close and now he couldn't even continue. Not until his horse was rested at least. Dilandau began to pull the packs from his horse, along with the saddle and saddle blanket. As carefully as he could Dilandau used a rag to wipe down the dark stallion's coat.
After that it was just a matter of walking the tired beast around the clearing to cool it down. Assured his horse would not collapse out of exhaustion, Dilandau took a seat beneath a tall pine, its lower branches hacked off by hunters and traders before him. I'll only sleep for a few hours. We should be able to catch up with her by then...
The dark red eyes closed quickly, their owner welcome for the small bit of rest. The dark stallion began to mill about the small clearing, his head down as he grazed on what little the sorrel hadn't eaten.
As the sun rose higher into the sky however, it was clear that it was not just a quick nap the General was taking. The stallion himself began to doze off; glad for the exercise but wished he was back in the stable with oats and sweet hey to eat.


Galese woke slowly, her mind in a daze. Nothing that she'd dreamed of had actually happened. She was safe within Waesir's walls, the guards outside her door. Galese yawned, but didn't open her eyes. Yes, in a few minutes Zorya would come in with Celena to wake her, she could sleep a few more minutes...
Wake up.
The voice definitely did not belong to Zorya or Celena, but Korent wouldn't visit her in her room...
Wake up! I don't have much time! The urgency in the voice was hard to hide and Galese opened her dark eyes, her stomach still sore from Refina's little tantrum. She nearly let out a cry of frustration as she saw the cold dark stone walls around her, the iron wrought bars at the front of her cell. A man stood on the other side of those bars but it wasn't Korent as she'd hoped.
What do you want? Are you here to scare me with the sacrificial talk too? she said coldly as she got off the tiny cot she'd slept on. The man's eyes narrowed at her, as if he were scrutinizing her.
He says you aren't her. I believe him but she doesn't.
Refina? Now, why would she believe what you or I have to say. I mean how did you manage to get out of your cell?
They didn't lock it. They thought I was gone forever. Galese faintly recognized his voice now, hadn't it been one of the voices in the screaming match that she'd heard a few days before?
They? They left you to die and you're not dead yet? she asked slightly confused as she took a step forward. His pale blue eyes were beautiful, though they couldn't compare to Korent's ice blue eyes. His dark brown hair was short though, and mussed as if he'd gotten up as rudely as she did.
No, they think Takaru can get rid of me, but he can't. Not while its still my body. Something in his blue eyes flickered for a moment and they almost looked greener than before... He's waking up, I can feel it. You can't let them take over Celet. You can't let those bastards do to Celet what they did to Hiwero. You can't- He stopped and took a deep breath, sweat beaded on his forehead. Ricpen was trying to concentrate on something or trying to do something... Galese took another step forward, not sure if she could help him or if she even should. He's from Hiwero. He's the reason my country's in turmoil and why my parents are dead. The corners of her mouth pulled downward and she glared at him. She was not going to listen to some Hiwero spy that much was certain.
You have... you have to listen. They'll do this to you, maybe even use Refina as the essence to force you out... You have to listen! They'll make you a slave in your own body even if you're royalty! That's the only reason I'm not dead and I wish I wa- he stopped again and Galese waited for him to continue, her face softer than before. He had to be speaking of the sorcerers, they were the only people she knew who could do this.
When he didn't speak again Galese hesitated in taking a step forward. The name Takaru sound familiar but she couldn't be sure... The former prince of Hiwero pulled his head up at last, a strange smile on his face. Well, well, well. It seems Ricpen was a naughty prince, speaking with the enemy.
Galese nearly stumbled backwards as she looked into those eyes. they were a brilliant green now, and she knew those eyes. Hey belong to the man her advisor had trusted above all others, who Zorya would've entrusted her life to. Instead he'd tried to kill her, and had died... She remembered Zorya saying something about that, about Dilandau... The dragonslayers General killed you! You can't be alive, she said in disbelief. the smile remained on his face as he made a ball with his fist then relaxed it.
Well it seemed your precious dragonslayers can't do anything right. Besides, it would be a perfectly good waste for me to die, don't you agree princess?


Celena waited outside the princess' chambers, convinced three days of solitude was enough. The four guards eyed her warily, still unconvinced that they should let her in. I need to speak with the princess.
Lady Albatou we've told you before the princess has decreed-
I know what you told me and I shall tell you what the king told me. I am to enter those rooms to make sure no bodily harm has come to the princess under your watch that you may be hiding from her advisors. The guard in charge paled for a moment but kept his face stern.
We have nothing to hide-
Good, then you'll let me in, she allowed her voice to deepen slightly, to the tone she'd heard her brother use on his slayers so often. The three other guards looked to their leader before actually moving away from the thick wooden doors. He nodded and they quickly made way for her, and Celena did not wait a moment.
She pushed through the doors as if they were made of paper and scanned the first room of the princess' chamber. Zorya was sitting on the pale couch watching the scenery, nor was she at the delicate ornate table eating what fruit remained. Celena's noise wrinkled as she smelled the rotten fruit. Apparently the guards hadn't even let any servants inside...
she called out, dread settled in the pit of her stomach. She walked further into the chambers passed the study, passed the resting room and passed the bathroom. Celena paused just outside the high double doors. What if Zorya wasn't there? What if... Don't be silly, she has to be here. Where else could she go? she called out softly as she pushed open one of the thick doors.
Celena found herself welcomed by a room Zorya found only a few weeks ago. A bed unslept in, the drapes drawn and more importantly no princess or substitute in sight. It took few minutes for the sight to sink in, and Celena clutched at the door frame. This could not be happening! Celena fought with herself whether to call her brother to help. After all, he'd put up a block not even she could break it over the past few days. Dilandau? Where is she? Dilandau answer me! Her weak cries went unanswered and she tried to search the castle with her mind.
It gave her no more answers than she had before and Celena could hear her own breaths become shallow and quick. No! She had to calm down... calm down... Celena forced herself to take a deep breath, anxiety threatened to overtake her at any second. He'd left her alone in the castle... alone... alone...


King Kaele watched the walls of his room, the pupils of his eyes dilated. He'd only gotten worse since the ball; a horrible pain in his chest testified to that. How could he be getting worse? Weren't those advisors trying to save him, at least until Galese was found?
Your elixir sire, a servant said meekly. Kaele could barely recognize any of the people that came to visit him now. Healers he'd been told, astrologers, ex-councilmen. He only knew that Galese was not one of them. His dark eyes tried to focus on stony wall opposite of him. Kaele couldn't be sure, but he could've sworn he'd seen the wall move just a few minutes before...
The searing liquid was poured into his mouth for him, his hands practically useless at his side. Why could he barely remember anything of the past few days? He could remember when he retired from the ball, after he saw the more important guests off. Everything after that was a blur, with bits and pieces that pushed him further into confusion.
The servant retreated then and he forced himself to look at her, to try and put a name to a face... he said in a hoarse voice. It startled the girl, and she nearly dropped the empty cup.

Belcol, where's Galese? Have the healers spoken with her yet? Her dark brown eyes showed him pity and she shook her head.
She's fallen ill, or so I've heard Milord. Probably nothing more than her monthly with all the excitement that's gone on. The king let out a sigh and nearly closed his eyes when he saw a stone move out of place on the wall behind Belcol.

Sire! I have urgent news to discuss with you! a new voice interrupted Kaele's concentration. He blinked and the stone was back in place as if it never moved at all. Its just a stone, it can't move! Hold it together, just long enough to tell Galese... He pulled his head up and his sunken eyes saw Celena in his room. Her eyes were glaring at the servant girl who retreated with her head bowed. They then focused on the wall Celena walked in front of and tried to find the apparition he saw before. King Kaele, she's gone.

Zorya, the princess substitute for Galese! She's gone and I don't know where she is. Kaele focused his watery eyes on her for a moment before he resumed his watch on the wall. Sire, this is serious! What are you going to do?
he said sedately and fell back onto his pillows, weary of trying to spot a phantom stone. There is nothing we can do. The last he heard or saw before slipping into the unconscious (something he did far too often for the healers' piece of mind) was that of Lady Albatou's frustrated hiss and the sound of her heels on the cold stone floor. Cold... everything was so cold...


The sorcerers stared at their apprentice; a wicked grimace on Paruchi's lips. Why were we not informed of this first? Why were we informed by Zongi of the substitute's absence?
The apprentice fidgeted under their gaze. I just found out myself-
And you thought it was better not to tell us? No matter, we may be able to attribute her disappearance to Hiwero... Silence covered them before Kuaru cleared his throat, at which point Paruchi nodded to him.
Paruchi, she was speaking with the General last I saw. She wanted to know how to slay a dragon, Kuaru said, his once strong voice barely above a whisper. The apprentice wished they knew enough of the sorcerers' to shut that one up. He would say too much and then they would put it all together.
Was she now. We may bring her here yet. Syrun, can you cast another binding spell?
She will not be undamaged, syrun said, though it sounded as if his tenor voice sung the words. The apprentice bit their lip in apprehension, this was not how it was supposed to go. They'd told them that the goddess would die painlessly, and they would be given the control when Gaea was united...
It won't matter, the day is close at hand. Kuaru, you will continue to the outpost as planned. The princess must be married to Ricpen to form the alliance. And what of the dragonslayer General? Have you eliminated them yet apprentice? The strain on that one word made the apprentice feel just how young and inexperienced with the world of magic the sorcerers used each day.
He's disappeared masters. No one knows where he went-
He went to slay a dragon as we planned, Foruma said, his voice tinged with awe. For once their plan was working and the apprentice fought to hide their emotion. there was no reason to bring the dragonslayers into the conversation. Paruchi's grimace turned upside down into a cruel smile as he turned away from the apprentice.
Yes, they may work... Zongi, you shall tonight. There is no point in wasting this opportunity.
the cloaked apprentice spoke up once more. Paruchi turned to face them, his dark eyes glittered with joy.
Yes, don't you see it? The General was the Hiwero spy all along. He kidnapped the princess under Hiwero orders. This shall rid us of any lose cannon that could try and upset the final sacrifice.
But he didn't! His dragonslayers will attest to that-
And they are all under Hiwero's gold as well. If he tries to return we have a case of treason and will rid ourselves of him for good. Now, your job with the king is done. I suggest you take care of anyone who may have overheard the king's last words. The apprentice could do nothing more but nod numbly as Zongi appeared out of the room's dark corners. And you Zongi, go now and solve us of our other problem.
The yellow eyes blinked, the sickly lips and skin pulled upwards as a tiny smile played on his face. He bowed his head to the four, his voice raspy as he spoke, As you command masters.


Ale and burnt meat invaded Zorya's nose the second she'd entered the establishment. Despite that and the suspicious looking men, that eyed all the barmaids with a look that made Zorya nauseous, she'd been eager to enter it. For four days she followed the trade route, each day getting a bit farther than the last. At the end of each day she rested in some off the road clearing, a place that only caravans and hunters used. Zorya would enjoy a night with warmth and food, even if she had to be in those pigs' company...
She kept the cloak's hood up as she pushed passed a rowdy group of men, probably just back from some hunting trip. No one gave her a second glance, at least no one she saw anyway. A person in a thick black woolen cloak in a corner watched her though, his dark red eyes covered in shadows as they followed her.
Zorya made her way to the rough counter, ale and crumbs covering the surface. What do ya want? a woman with an ample chest asked her plainly, her eyes not on Zorya but on a group of men to one side of the tavern.
A room for tonight- Zorya started and was cut off by a man's high voice, the words slurred by ale but punctuated by fear.
Did you hear? Feren went out to slay one of those beasts and he isn't back yet.
The fool's as good as dragon dung, probably is that somewhere in the forest, another voice added.
He had a sword- the same man said who had mentioned Feren's name.
So? I've got a sword but you don't see me going after dragons, a third piped up, his tone slightly condescending through his slurred words.
But he only went a few hours away! That dragon could come after us! the first voice insisted while the other began to chuckle or roar with laughter at the petrified man.
Anything else?
Some water, Zorya said quietly, wishing she could get to a room and just shut out all the loud noise. At least there were dragons nearby, and that would make her job all the more easy to complete. I just have to find one and kill it, no big deal.
Water huh? No ale for a weary traveler? Show us your face stranger, a masculine voice boomed in her ears. Zorya had no time to react as he pulled her around, and pulled down the hood to the cloak. Well looky here, a woman! Looking for a good time girlie? he pulled her closer than she wished to be and Zorya could practically taste the alcohol on his breath. She of course could not see the dark eyes narrow at the man from the shadows...
Her hand went for the dagger at her belt, the same dagger the princess had given her months before to begin her training. She was far more proficient with its use now however, than all those moons ago. Zorya pulled it up easily and pushed on the man's arms. He was far too surprised to react and too drunk to move fast enough as she twisted him around until he was on the ground in front of her, a knee in his back and the dagger's blade at his throat.
Now, listen up. I'm here to do a job and I don't appreciate being eyed like a piece of meat. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away. Of course if you don't I can't be held responsible for my actions, my blade hasn't tasted blood in quite a while. Got it? she growled the last word in a fashion the General himself might've done. Zorya hated it, but she had to admit no one had dared stand up to Dilandau when he used it. the pudgy man beneath her nodded his head vigorously, cutting his own flesh on the blade slightly. Good. Now about that room, she said and focused on the silent patron behind the counter.


Kaele drifted in and out of consciousness for the passed few hours, ever since Celena and his elixir had been administered. His fevered mind tried to make sense of it all, of what little he could remember. Wasn't there something about the twins? Something about the dragons and a twin and a goddess...
No, Zorya wasn't the goddess it spoke of, but the twins... The twin shall bring death to all they meet. None shall be spared the twin given by the Moon, and fire shall engulf Gaea once more. Death itself shall rise and listen to its foul mistress who will wreak havoc on all when all are gone. Only if Fire fights Fire shall Death be subdued... his long dead tutor's voice rang from the cold walls.
Kaele sat straight up as the words pounded in his head. He remembered, the story when he was a boy. Wasn't that how Gaea was consumed ten thousand years ago? The twin... the twin had killed the goddess or distracted the goddess and prevented her from choosing the Dragon and Escaflowne couldn't destroy Death itself, couldn't destroy the Alseides...
Death... the twin... What have I done? I've doomed Gaea, the king whispered and clutched at his chest. A burning pain flared within him and he could almost feel his heart wish to stop...
So you have King, but we shall correct it, the walls spoke up. Kaele's eyes widened as the wall before him shifted and puled outward from the stones. The gray melted away to blue and white, sickly skin tight over high cheekbones and bright yellow eyes. A doppelganger... No... I can't let it end like this...
The thing advanced on him slowly, as if it knew he wouldn't resist. the last bit of defiance in Kaele swelled within him, giving him courage as he felt for the dagger at his bedside. It was there as a last resort should any assassin get passed the guards. It seemed time slowed down as he grabbed for it, the smirk on the doppelganger's face increasing. You won't do it King, he rasped, the clawed hands reaching out for Kaele's neck.
The king felt the cool metal hilt on his palm and tightened his fingers about it. It was only a second's hesitation before he brought it to himself, and stopped the doppelganger. After all, a doppelganger could not possess someone's essence if they were dead; a switch could be performed but not on such short notice...
Kaele felt the pain and for once was glad for it. No doppelganger, no Hiwero spy would impersonate him. He would not allow his country to fall into their hands, and his advisors would see to that. He shut his eyes, the doppelganger's curses fading from his ears. He couldn't hear anything now... just his own heart as it poured over himself and his once clean sheets. That didn't matter though, he'd stopped the doppelganger. Kaele managed to do something right for his country once... I'm sorry Galese... I'm so sorry I didn't get to tell you...