The Hunt: Part 15
-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.
I gotta give credit where its due and my beta gets tons of credit for helping me way back in Part 12 for thinking up a way for Zorya and Latro to talk to each other. I never thought I'd say this but I love Northeasters. Got a snow day and managed to finish this up ahead of time. Gidaru is the currency on Gaea, at least that's what I've been told. As always constructive criticism and praise goes to Zibbelcoot@aol.com
Zorya sat on the bed, no it was more of a cot, and let out a sigh. She didn't think herself capable of what she'd just done... I could've killed him?! What if my hand slipped? The man had grumbled after she'd released him, even spat a few curses her way but she'd brought up her dagger once more and he shut up.
Her head made a soft thump noise as it leaned back against her room's door. A wry grin almost pulled her lips upward but she suppressed it. After all, those bastards were drunk and knew she was a woman. She didn't trust them, not even if they did fear her after that stunt before...
She pulled her legs up in front of her, her knees barely touched her chin as she did so. The thick leather clothes and boots prevented her from scrunching up into a ball like she wanted to do. Zorya could feel her spine straight against the door's cool wood, her thick torso armor across the room for the moment. How could she sleep here now? With the threat of those... drunkards trying to sneak into her room?
Sleep tempted her as she began to slump to one side against her barricaded door. Maybe if she closed her eyes for just a minute. Yes, all she needed was a few minutes and then she'd keep watch. As her eyelids covered her tired eyes, more grey than green at the moment, she could almost hear something outside her room but ignored it as sleep overtook her.
One man took a step towards the door, where that young woman slept. He smiled lewdly and reached for his own dagger at his belt. She may have been able to take down Ewuf easily enough but the old man was slow and fat. He was in the prime of his youth and she couldn't possibly have meant it when she said she wanted a room alone.
I'll be generous enough to share my company with her. What woman wouldn't want that? he chuckled to himself and took another step towards the closed door. He didn't see the black cloak, or the sword until it was too late.
Where do you think you're going? the cloak asked him sharply. He froze in place, the sword nipped at his flesh.
W-why to meet my woman. Who the hell are you, trying to slit my throat?! he tried to scream or shout but found his voice to be no stronger than a frightened child's. The cloak laughed from its spot on the wall and straightened up. He may have been taller than the cloak but at that instant the cloak felt taller than he looked but that wasn't all, it felt dangerous.
I'm your death if you take another step. He froze, unbelieving of what his ears relayed to him. That cloak, that man, couldn't be serious! Oh I'm serious. You have one miet to remove yourself from this inn or I will kill you, the cloak said in a near chuckle.
He opened his mouth as the sword fell away from him but whatever retort he'd been about to throw at the black thing died in his throat. The cloak looked up from the floor and the hood was thrown back slightly, and he saw the thing's eyes. Red eyes?! Dear gods its a demon!
You're a demon! he sputtered and took a few shaky steps back. The demon grinned at him, the red eyes dancing in joy.
I'm worse, or didn't you listen you ignorant bastard? I'm your death, it laughed at him, the red eyes never left his own. He took in a few shallow breaths and fought to keep control of his bladder. The smile widened and the sword came up into his view one more. Time's up.
The last thing he felt was a liquid as it ran down the inside of his pants and the dampness that accompanied one after they lost control of themselves.
Garufo stared at the thing that supposedly was to help them unite all of Gaea. Halflings aren't good for anything except dying. We should kill him now and not wait for his insipid song to work. He could turn it on us! A fine shiver ran through him at that thought, accompanied by not-so-pleasant images of what Syrun could force them to do without them ever knowing.
Almost out of nowhere the stones next to him bulged and formed a human face and body. Garufo choked on the scream he almost released and watched the thing with wide eyes. Don't do that! he hissed as the grey left the inhuman face and the familiar pasty white and dark navy blue colored it. His little outburst woke Syrun, or at least made the thing open its pale blue eyes.
Zongi barely gave the sorcerer a sideways glance as he extricated himself from the wall. The rest of his body resumed its normal color and Garufo crossed his arms, waiting for the good news. The doppelganger remained silent however, its yellow eyes locked on the halfling.
Well? Why don't you show me your new essence? Garufo almost commanded and barely managed to change his tone. He was not on the best of terms with the doppelganger to begin with and he did not want to be the next essence the thing could have at its disposal.
Zongi turned to him, his golden eyes blank of all emotions as a small smile nearly pulled at the pale lips. I did not take his essence.
What do you mean you didn't take his essence?! That was your job! Garufo half sputtered-half shouted. Zongi blinked at his reaction and shut his eyes as if in thought.
The king is dead. Your apprentice apparently did not do a very good job in preparing him for my visit.
Garufo took a step back, not out of shock though. He knew what this meant, their plans were unraveling once more and Paruchi would not be pleased...
Yes, he killed himself right in front of me. I didn't think that coward had any spine in him to do that. Garufo was silent, his mind planning and working faster than before. They still had the princess, and Kuaru was on his way there to help Refina and Takaru. If Takaru is even Takaru. Well, now at least Galese shall be queen and Takaru king, one more country down and with so little time left... A frown wrinkled his face as he pulled up a hand to touch his chin. They had nearly thirty moons to take back the goddess and prepare her for the sacrifice.
You may go then. Fetch Paruchi and Foruma, Garufo mumbled as he continued to think, to plan passed the obstacle set before them. Zongi regarded him with cold eyes before he finally nodded and sunk back to the wall. In a moment his flesh had taken on the texture of the stones he laid on and took their color as well. Within a few miets there was nothing to indicate anything inhuman had even been in the room with Syrun and Garufo.
Yes, thirty moons. It can be done, and we must ensure she is the true goddess. Garufo nearly chuckled at that thought. Of course she was the true goddess, certainly no mortal girl would cause their plans so much strife!
Zorya pulled the dark green cloak back over her head. No point in advertising the fact she was leaving by letting her dark red hair speak for her. The cot was a little difficult to move back to its original place, but that was due to her still fatigued muscles.
The sun's warm rays had only spilled into her room no more than fifteen minutes ago, and she wouldn't waste the time with sleep. Although it won't do me much good if a dragon decides it wants a snack and I pass out! she grumbled to herself as she opened the small room's door. To her own surprise no one else was up either, or at least none that she could see. Someone, a drunk hung over from last night, was collapsed against the wall at the corner, no more than five feet from her room. A cloak black as night covered him and a soft noise, his steady breathing, was barely audible as she shut the door behind her.
The sorrel would be easy to tack now and all they had to do was follow the sun as it rose in the pale sky. That was where Feren went only a few days before on his own foolish dragon hunt. Carefully Zorya tiptoed passed the drunk, her boots made no sound as she neared the stairs at the end of the hallway. The cloaked sleeper stirred slightly and Zorya rushed down the stairs. She'd paid the night before with what little gidaru she'd managed to find in the stables and in the princess' room. You'd think a princess would have more than ten gidaru in her room, Zorya thought as she came into the inn's open area.
A few drunks had spent the night there, their arms and legs strewn about between the tables and chairs. With a certain amount of disgust Zorya noticed one of the barmaids among the hands and feet. As silently as she'd snuck passed the first drunk in black she got passed the group and into the stables. Amazingly enough the room that passed for the inn's stable was clean and orderly. With a small half-smirk Zorya saw that the sorrel was still there. A dark horse was in the stall next to him and a strange feeling of déja vu filled Zorya.
No, I'm just seeing things, Zorya told herself and proceeded to tack up her horse. In a few minutes she and the gelding were heading east, ready to complete the task she'd set out to do.
Dilandau awoke to a crick in his neck and sore back muscles. Maybe sleeping on the floor wasn't the best plan... Still, it didn't help that he had to drag that oaf's dead weight outside. He'd never seen someone pass out from fright before, and that was all that saved the bastard. His sword nicked a fairly long cut down the man's face but it was the oaf's fault in the first place. A frown pulled on Dilandau's lips as he pushed himself off the floor.
The black fabric pooled all around him and made it look as if he'd risen out of the shadows. Truly a sight fit for the General of the dragonslayers. The frown remained on his face as he pushed back the hood, his silver hair fell downwards in disheveled spikes. His garnet eyes scanned the hallway and he wondered how long he'd slept and what exactly woke him up. The latter's answer was a streak of unbroken sunlight that came from the room he guarded throughout the night.
A string of curses spilled from his lips as he caught sight of Zorya's room, her empty room. It didn't seem to matter if he caught up with her, his body would always prevent him from actually keeping up with her. A peal of laughter almost escaped him as he thought about that. The feeling that something was purposely keeping him from her, from his answers. It was almost as if something wanted Zorya to find a dragon and get herself killed...
The dark chuckle he'd released died abruptly at that thought. No, he wouldn't let her die, not before he got his answers. Although, judging by the height of the sun in the sky it was questionable if he'd be able to catch her once more. Stealthily, not unlike his prey did only an hour ago, Dilandau stalked down the stairs and into the stable. As expected the sorrel was gone and his own stallion whinnied softly as he caught sight of his rider. A nearly smug smirk graced Dilandau's lips as he tacked the horse and mounted him. The reins in his hands and the sun still rising he set his horse into a gallop. Time to start our little hunt, he cackled softly and set off after his prey.
Paruchi regarded the other five people in the small room with something between disgust and despair. It was essential for Zongi to become the king, to ensure Galese would do as they said. Now they lost the goddess as well as the king. We can modify the plan Paruchi. Its not necessary that we have the king, Garufo tried to placate him.
The leader of the sorcerers and the creator of the plan allowed his eyes to settle on Garufo. The king was essential to gaining Celet or, have you forgotten that Garufo? The plan revolved around the goddess of wings as well but it seems you've forgotten everything as of late, Paruchi snapped at his subordinate. Garufo did not flinch but met Paruchi's gaze with his own.
No, all we need is the goddess. You said so yourself, Garufo replied more evenly than his leader.
And you! You were supposed to prepare the king for this! Paruchi whirled on the last person in the room, the apprentice. If this any indication of your loyalty to us I would tread lightly apprentice. Ricpen could be used far more productively if Takaru were isolated from him. The apprentice did not look away, which slightly unnerved Paruchi. Instead they met his glare with an emotionless face, their lips in a pursed line.
The king was prepared, I cannot control his mind at every second or the ex-councilmen would get suspicious. Is it not enough that they don't trust any of you for the simple fact you expelled them from the king's advisory positions? There have been setbacks before, not at my doing and you have overcome them, they said softly, their voice cold. Paruchi's frown disappeared from his face as he watched them. Yes, they'd come a long way since when Kuaru found them nearly five years ago. A worthless wretch who would've died or turned to a life of crime to survive.
Their determination never ceased to amaze Paruchi. Perhaps this apprentice is far more worthy than Takaru ever was... And the skill they executed the spells they were assigned, it was nearly unparalleled. It could be due to their parents, no one else would have a better control of Gaea's fate than them... Yes, you're correct. Zongi, we still need the goddess. If Syrun's binding spell fails you shall collect her, is that understood? Zongi nodded as Paruchi turned to Syrun, the boy pale and thin. The state Syrun was in was no concern of Paruchi's, as long as the boy could still weave his spells it didn't matter. Syrun, is she close to a fire?
Not yet, the musical voice was strained as Syrun replied, his eyes half closed. But she is close. Yes, she is very close to the dragon.
Good, call to her Syrun. Bring her here so we may finally begin the preparations, Paruchi said, his black mood steadily fading away as a new plan formed in his plan.
As you command, Syrun answered and took a step back, his pale blue eyes closed in meditation.
What of the dragonslayers and their General? What are we going to do about them? Foruma spoke for the first time since their gathering began. Paruchi struggled to keep his face blank as the new plan took hold. Yes, that will rid of us of the dragonslayers and keep the General at our disposal.
Paruchi took a breath before he shared the new plan with the others. Its just as before. The princess was kidnapped by the dragonslayer General but, not before he disposed of the king in the name of Hiwero. When he returns he will be tried for treason and we will have him in our hand. His eyes swept over the five and gauged their reactions, his eyes rested on the apprentice for a moment longer than the rest. When no protest filled his ears Paruchi smiled cruelly. It didn't matter how many setbacks Gaea placed before them, they would have the powers of the gods before long. Garufo, send a message to Kuaru. Ask him to kindly inform us of the status of the god of death and fire.
The forest looked dark despite the clear sky above it. Zorya swallowed the lump in her throat as the ominous trees rose up all around her. For four hours she traveled to the east and had no idea where she was in relation to Celet's Waesir palace. Well, its now or never, she mumbled under her breath and urged her horse onwards. The sorrel didn't so much as flinch or shy in the slightest as he went deeper into dragon territory.
Zorya nearly let out a nervous laugh she felt building in her but decided against it. Maybe dragons didn't like laughter and she didn't want to be caught off guard, especially since she had no way of getting help if anything happened... Stop it! Don't think negatively or a dragon will eat you! Cautiously Zorya threw a glance over her shoulder. Nothing but green leafed trees and the sounds of forest creatures answered her searching eyes. That and the occasional twig snap that se wrote off to a deer or some creature that size.
She bit down on her bottom lip as they passed a lake, a stunning waterfall depositing thawing snow from the north. The lake ran off passed a grove of trees and Zorya assumed it flowed over the outcropping of rocks to an ocean eventually. The trees began to twist into all different shapes, the space between their trunks widening. That's big enough for a dragon to fit through... I think...
Clumps of trees close together were few and far between, though the trees' branches rose high into the air and created a thickly woven canopy that allowed no sunlight to pass through it. Darkness engulfed Zorya as the sorrel continued forward, a feeling of uneasiness washed over her. Suddenly Zorya wished she had remained in the castle and the guard or dragonslayers were in her place.
A deep rumble off to her right made Zorya pull back on the reins. Now's a good a time as ever. She dismounted the sorrel and pulled him to one twisted tree's trunk. She looped the reins about one small branch and gave his velvety nose a parting pat before she walked deeper into the forest, alone.
Dilandau managed to find Zorya's trail after nearly an hour of searching. After that it was relatively easy to track her, he followed the sun just as she did only a few hours before him. His charger seemed glad for the slightly slower pace he gave him today but, that was only because he caught a flash of red and dark blue head off the road a few minutes ago.
He continued through the forest after the sorrel gelding, deeper into the land dragons' territory. Dilandau thought he saw a flash of dark red hair and blue armor but, it could've been a trick of the light within the forest. Cautiously Dilandau stopped his own horse, the darkness all around them. That wasn't what bothered him however, it was the silence that puzzled him. It was the dragons' breeding season which meant the air should be filled with the calls of dragons searching or claiming mates.
The horse snorted beneath him, anxious to get on with their way. Dilandau ignored the beast's wishes and sat higher in the saddle and listened. No, he didn't hear anything but the occasion twig or pebble thrown out of place which he knew was Zorya. He brought his horse around to one of the dense grove of trees and deposited his horse there, the dragonslayer knew better than to leave his horse out in the open
Yes, today one hunt would be completed. Though even Dilandau was unsure of which one that would be.
Zorya held the blade in her hands weakly. Suddenly her plan did not look or sound as good as it had while she was in the castle. She could see her sword trembling, and if she couldn't even hold the sword how was she supposed to kill something with it?
Its okay, just stay calm, she whispered to herself to try and calm her nerves. She'd thought anything would be better than being cooped up in that castle and pretending to be Galese. Of course now that option was looking better and better as Zorya walked deeper into the forest.
Just one dragenergist, that's all I need. She paused in her steps, her feet leaden as another possibility ran through her mind. What if the sorcerers were lying? The General didn't trust them and it didn't seem like the ex-councilmen liked them either. Of course they wouldn't like them, they put them out of a job! As for Dilandau... For a moment a scene of fire flashed in her head, from the first time the fire tempted her. That sweet voice in her ear but those dark shapes... Zorya shuddered and forced her body to calm down. There couldn't be a connection between the sorcerers and the fire. After all that short one didn't seem all that pleased she was in Gaea at all. I am not thinking about this, I am not going to agree with him.
Dilandau walked twenty paces behind her. An arrogant smirk lit up his face as he moved silently after her. What a rookie, holding the blade out like that. The dragon will have her in the first minute. That was what bothered him however. If she failed her hunt, he would ultimately fail in his. He wanted to get his answers and maybe after that the hunt could finally end.
She paused in her steps, and Dilandau watched silently. She's still too loud, every dragon in the area's heard her by now. His eyes narrowed, his crimson iris half hidden to anyone who would watch him. No one mattered though, not to him. All that mattered was her, and the dragon hunt.
Zorya cast a frightened look behind her. She could've sworn she'd heard something; a twig snapping or a pebble kicked out of place. Zorya turned around and resumed the hunt. All around the forest was an almost deadly quiet. The occasional suicidal bird could be heard whistling at erratic intervals, along with the scampering of a neurotic squirrel off in the underbrush.
Other than that, Zorya was the only living thing there. A deep rumble resounded off the thick tree trunks, causing the blade in her hand to tremble more than before. She sucked in a quick breathe of air and held it. The sound continued and then stopped. A dragon... but why did it do that?
The rumble didn't sound aggressive or something that would elicit fear in the hearts of men. It had a gentle undertone to it that Zorya almost thought was a soft croon.
Celena looked out from the castle's small window. From her vantage point she could see far beyond Waesir's outskirts and the snowcapped mountains in the distance, the northern and western borders of Celet. She turned her head to the left slightly and watched as the mountains receded into the ground. Somewhere out passed that frozen land was her brother and it terrified her that she didn't know where he was.
What can be more important that me Dilandau? Where are you? She closed her eyes and placed her hands on the windowsill, prepared to try and find him. She skimmed the castle and the Capital once more, just to be sure she didn't miss something from before. With an almost sad sigh she concentrated harder and tried to connect with his mind. She felt to the south, the home of the land dragons.
For a moment she almost felt something and Celena pulled at it, tried to recognize it. She felt the familiar feel and thoughts of her brother's mind and nearly collapsed in relief. Her knees weakened and the only thing that held her upright was her death grip on the windowsill. He was all right, he was alive. Celena kept her eyes closed as she gently probed his mind, tried to get a feel for where he was.
A forest, dragons, his charger and sword; he was hunting. Dilandau... Dilandau why did you run from the castle? His mind did not recognize hers immediately and an image of a person popped into her own and Celena's eyes flew open. No... oh no... Dilandau no-
Dilandau brushed his ear with his finger tips. How dare she intrude on his mind now! He could understand her need not to be alone but she was so needy! It was bad enough that she had conjured up those images in his mind. But why would Celena want to know about Zorya?
Dilandau growled under his breath and concentrated. He would be rid of her, whether at his hands or someone else's it would occur. All of the intrusions, the little things she did on purpose. The link between them wavered as he concentrated then severed completely. His garnet irises contracted and then relaxed, one silver eyebrow raised. Now that its settled, where did she run off to?
A quick search of the area he was in, reaffirmed the fact that she was gone. The smirk that had about to pull at his lips quickly transformed into a deep grimace. Now that wretch had cost him the hunt! A snapping of twigs off to his right made Dilandau draw his sword. One thing was certain, he wouldn't get caught off guard by some dragon in heat.
Instead of a flash of scales, or the quick outburst of flame, he was greeted by dark blue and forest green armor. There you are my quarry. With a speed that could only be attained with the blood, Dilandau crossed the gap between them to a less than ten feet. He watched her flinch and pause for a moment. Not bad, you've learned something. She continued forward, this time the blade ready at her side. His grimace lessened as he looked up the tree he was behind. How convenient...
Zorya was ready to just head back and be Galese once more. She just couldn't deal with the forest being silent and then suddenly filled with leaves crumpled and twigs snapped. Especially since the movements were too small for a dragon. At least she hoped no dragon was that small, that meant they could follow her into a cave or up a tree or into any other small hiding spot she could use as a safe haven.
She sheathed the blade, a last look around her to confirm she was safe. Nothing was worth this agony. Maybe if she went back now she'd be sent back home... She'd barely taken a step when a low growl shook the ground beneath her.
Oh shit, she whispered, her hand withdrew the blade once more. A foul smell overcame her senses, forcing her to take a step back. That's... that's... She turned around slowly, and to her credit, didn't scream or drop the blade.
A mature land dragon rested behind her, most likely a male judging by the size of his fire lungs. Zorya dared not move, reverently hoping it might think she was just part of the scenery. It blinked, the massive eyes honed in on her. Or maybe not... With a furious roar the dragon picked itself up, ready to defend its territory and rid itself of the puny intruder.
Zorya took off running, sword still in hand. She'd never be able to slay it now. That had been the whole point of going into the forest, to catch one by surprise and it caught her by surprise! Using every bit of maledicta she'd come to know under her breath Zorya sprinted towards a tighter clump of trees. Maybe she could get it caught...
Dilandau's smile was almost forced as he watched the dragon run after Zorya. She seemed to be faster than the male, at least for the moment. There was nothing he could do, not yet anyway. If he were to intrude now the dragon could possibly kill them both. The dragon bellowed again and ran after Zorya who had fled into a dense grove of trees. His legs swung lazily below him from his high perch in the tree. Still, his bright eyes followed her every movement, watched every decision she made.
Interesting, trying to get it caught. Perhaps there was another reason Dilandau did not interrupt the two below him but, he refused to acknowledge it. Just maybe Zorya was good enough to kill a dragon. If she did then she was worthy of-
Dilandau's thoughts were cut off as the dragon lashed out at the trees that hid the red headed prey, his tail mercilessly beat against the thin trunks that began to splinter. His grin disappeared and he watched it carefully. Get out of there. Get out before he crushes you...
He was so focused on the base of the trees that Dilandau didn't see Zorya slip out of the grove and move farther away as the trees splintered in half from the dragon's latest blow. Thankfully the dragon didn't see to notice either until the trees were completely destroyed. At nearly the same time Dilandau caught sight of Zorya, the dragon did as well. She ran to another tree and scaled halfway up the thick gnarled trunk.
The dragon hissed angrily and dashed after her, his front claws embedded deep within the new tree's trunk. The tree shook as he roared angrily and Dilandau nearly left his perch as he saw Zorya's feet slip off the knotted bark. The dragon roared in joy at the sight of Zorya's floundering legs and clawed up the tree, its fangs coming dangerously close to Zorya. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, his garnet eyes narrowed at the scene. He'd wait just a bit longer, then he'd-
Dilandau's plan was cut short however by the horrible sound of wood snapping and splintering. The dragon seemed oblivious to it, even though the tree could not hold its weight. The tree tilted over slightly, the cracking noise still in the air. Then for a few moments the forest was completely silent, aside from the dragon's frustrated hisses and bellows. It was the calm before the storm however, and Dilandau watched transfixed on the tree, as the tree split in half with a practically deafening crash. The dragon let out a startled high pitched keen as it fell back with the tree top, too large to turn and get out of its short free fall. Dilandau's eyes went to the dark blue and green armored one though, his eyes wide as he watched what she did.
The tree fell and it seemed Zorya would be crushed beneath the trunk but instead, she being smaller than the dragon, managed to let go of the gnarled bark and pushed herself away from the dragon and tree; closer to where Dilandau was now. The keen turned into a cry of pain as the dragon continued to fall and impaled itself on the small grove of trees it destroyed earlier to find Zorya.
She remained on the ground for a moment and forced herself up, the blade drawn. Dilandau's eyes refused to leave her now. He hadn't suspected she was taught anything like that at the castle. The maneuver with the trees did not prove to be fatal however as the dragon, with a ragged screech, pulled itself off the splintered trees. Its scales saved it from the majority of the spear-like tree trunks but not all. Even now as it growled in pain and searched for its prey green blood poured over its body.
She took deep breaths, her legs aching but she ignored it. Good, keep going. You can finish it. Her trust in the voice proved to be valid as it aided her with the hunt. No doubt she would've continued to run away from the thing if it hadn't told her about the trees... Zorya let out a soft bird call and waited for the dragon's reaction. It turned and faced her, green ichor seeped down from the wound in it's back. A satisfied grin was all Zorya did to show her joy. This isn't so hard...
The dragon let out a pitiful whine, its lungs expanded and revealed- Fire... she whispered out loud, her eyes going wide. The fire danced within the dragon, as if it had a mind of its own; a plan of its own. Zorya dropped the sword, her eyes completely focused on the fire that glowed brighter by the second within the dragon's chest.
Where was the song? She couldn't hear the words. Where were the words?! The fire brought her here, why wouldn't it bring her back!? She took a step forward, the flames taking on a more ominous color.
~De Cravi... To me...~
Dilandau's eyes went wide. Was she insane? Didn't she see the dragon was going to breathe flames and she was in its path? More importantly, she'd dropped her sword. Foolish girl. I thought you learned something
He couldn't stand it though; he couldn't watch as she threw her life away. The muscles in his arms tensed, ready to move in an instant if needed.
~De Cravi... To me...~
Zorya closed her eyes, she could hear the words in the back of her mind. Yes, she could go home now...
~De Cravi... To me...~
Dilandau let out a disgusted grunt and flung himself to the ground. She was the princess substitute and the gods only knew where Galese actually was. The king would relieve the dragonslayers of their duty permanently if Zorya died and left Celet without even a fake ruler. Which meant they'd have to move on again... Still there was something that nagged him at the back of his mind. That wasn't the only reason he was about to do this, was it? He shook his head and concentrated at the task at hand. Yes, that was the only reason.
It took a second to descend, and one before that to plan. Yes, if he hit it just right... The force of the impact nearly knocked him unconscious but nearly wouldn't do it. He sprang to his feet and ran as fast as he could, throwing up a shield with the power of his blood and the last of his conscious will. Zorya still hadn't noticed him, not until the second his body collided with hers. His body brought her to the ground and slid for a few feet. Hopefully it was out of the dragon's range.
A horrible scalding heat pervaded the area and it was all Dilandau could do to maintain the shield around them. And then it was over, the blast of heat receding from them. Knowing fully well the dragon would attack once more, Dilandau pushed himself to his feet and ignored how his muscles protested the movement.
He drew his own sword and charged forward. The dragon's head was still raised and, ready to breath fire on them once more, never saw his attack. The sword went deep into the dragon's chest and without hesitation Dilandau pulled on the sword, willing it to cut through the lungs. The sharp blade parted flesh and soft tissue like a hot knife through butter. The dragon, only now feeling the attack roared and instinctively lashed out with his forearm. The ordeal took less than five seconds.
Dilandau was flung into a nearby tree, his body slumped at its base. That dragon's action had been too little, too late however. Already ichor vapor rose from the wound, the scales crackling and turning to dust. A death keen rose from a disintegrated throat into the silent night. It left nothing but a dragenergist in its wake.
Dilandau groaned from where he'd been thrown. He hadn't expected the dragon to react like that. A cough raked his body and with disembodied feeling Dilandau absently noted he'd coughed up blood. He stood up, abet shakily, and walked slowly to where the energist lay. This is what she'd risked her life for. He risked his life to follow her for this. Dilandau closed his eyes, and silently laid his sword down. Why had he risked his life? Dilandau hadn't planned on that stunt that happened less than a minute ago. He should've let her walk to her death. Answers did not mean that much to him...
His muscles complained every step of the walk as he made his way back to Zorya. She was still in the state he'd left her in, fallen on the forest floor. his voice soft, hesitant. Had he done it all that for nothing? Had she died? He waited, listened for anything that might come from her body. Then he heard it, soft as the wind in the trees above them.
Fire... the fire... the fire... the fire... the fire... yes... fire... yes... fire... take me... fire... take me home... she chanted in a whisper over and over. Dilandau would've taken a step back if his muscles had let him. Fire? But why is she? She wanted the fire to come to her? To engulf her... For the second time in his life, Dilandau felt his nerves rattle as he watched her glazed eyes.
It was all too much for him though, Dilandau was after all only human. His body refused to allow anymore punishment be given to it and shut down. He felt his knees weaken first then the rest of his muscles. Stupid, stupid girl, he gritted out between his teeth, struggling to remain standing.
Something he said must've snapped her out of the fire induced trance. She blinked, and her eyes unclouded. The fire... where did it go? Where are you?! Take me home! she shouted, not aware of his presence.
Fool, the dragon nearly had you- he snarled at her, his knees threatening to give out on him as well as his mind. He felt so tired, he just wanted to rest but if he did...
Zorya's eyes widened as she realized she was not alone. She turned her head and focused her eyes on him. For a moment Dilandau could feel the anger, the fear, the hatred in her soul burn through him. And then it faded.
Stupid... stupid... girl, were the last of his thoughts before he lost all consciousness.
