The Hunt: Part 16
-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! And I don't own Mickey Mouse, I just needed a quick reference.
Author's notes:
Same as before, happens 2 1/2 years after Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea.
When inspiration strikes, it strikes with a vengeance. Now for the warning: THERE IS NUDITY IN THIS PART. Hence the R rating now however, if this was made into a Fanmanga (Mother Love!!!) or an actual anime it could be done tastefully with water ripples, plants, arms and other body parts/objects (à la Neon Genesis Evangelion Shinji beer can!). So if you don't wanna see nudity come back at part 17.
Also, I'd like to hear your feedback about this story! I love seeing how many people read my story and the past reviews but without any new feedback I don't know if I should go on with this story or not. A miet is a Gaean unit of time, approximately thirty seconds.
Zorya had very little time to react and on reflex struggled to catch his falling body. She let out a small oof' as he landed in her arms for the most part. What is he doing here? What did he do? Zorya could smell the dragon's blood on him as well as seared grass. The fire, she barely whispered and remembered what had happened.
The fire had called to her again, hadn't it? Or had she hoped too much and merely imagined it? But, what happened and why are you here?
That wasn't really what she was thinking about though. All that occupied her mind was how he'd appeared out of nowhere and was now unconscious next to her. He might die. No, he's Dilandau, he won't die. He has those dragonslayers to live for. Letting out a grunt of effort, Zorya managed to roll him over onto his uninjured.
She checked the armor on his front, and aside from the dragon ichor and one patch of his own blood she couldn't see any other visible injuries. There were three claw marks etched into the armor now, but they didn't puncture it. She moved to his face next and it startled her. He looked the same as when she'd escaped from her bathroom, almost peaceful and not quite so psychotic.
Okay, cue freaky music here, she forced a laugh softly, trying to lighten the feeling of foreboding that had overcome her. Well, Dilandau I guess you'll live although. She pinched her nose with both her right index and thumb. You're going to need a bath before you rejoin your dragonslayers. I think you can do that when you wake up.
She shook away the images that came to mind, of Dilandau waking up in the middle of being washed and then threatening her with every torture he could think of. She got up softly and prepared to make a fire. Twilight already darkened the sky, making the double moons even brighter in the sky above them.
Would the fire have taken me home? Or done something else entirely?
Within the small room Syrun frowned. He almost had her then! She would've been brought back and the sacrifice completed. Sora would be back with him if it weren't for the interference. Uncharacteristic of the halfling Syrun growled low in his throat, a sound that nearly affirmed his people's claim to being descendants of dragons. That thing... that thing which he had so easily manipulated before had interfered! What happened this time?! a voice interrupted his agitated thoughts.
Syrun's pale eyes opened and met the sorcerers easily.
Yes do tell, what is your excuse.
He interfered, again, Syrun sputtered and tried to calm down. If he remained in this state it would do neither him nor the goddess any good... But the General, he'd eluded what suggestions Syrun had given him as if they were nothing but figments of his imagination. Its gone too far with him. The sorcerers won't be able to bring him back under their control now. He blinked and remembered the plan from before. Perhaps it was just as well, after all he would be used later. Still it was a shame that the two would be separated. The mystic training Syrun had required him to wonder what would happen if the goddess and General were left to their own vices.
Isn't there something you can do? Foruma asked gently, aware of Syrun's still agitated face. Sleep was in order as well, as soon as she was on the way to the castle.
Yes, can't you sing a spell forcing her into the fire? Paruchi's clam voice helped to further soothe Syrun's nerves. The pale haired young man opened his eyes slowly
Wouldn't she die then? She has to be willing, Foruma said with a bit of uncertainty. Syrun nodded and let his eyes rest on that sorcerer.
If she believes in the fire she will be relatively unharmed. If she resists it... then i is not likely she'll live for long after it brings her here. That is how she survived the first transfer, she believed she would be saved. However, I could spin another...
The three remaining sorcerers watched him eagerly, and Syrun was reminded of hungry griffon chicks waiting for their next meal.
That would bring her to you for sure. It would be a simple calling spell but it would guide her to the castle. And it will bring the General as well.
After seeing to Dilandau, and making sure he wouldn't roll into the small fire she built, Zorya went off into the forest. She was not a fool however and took small measured strides that made barely any noise against the soft grass that crumpled beneath her boots.
They could be stuck in the forest for a while if Dilandau had any internal injuries. And I have no clue how to help him. Now where did I tie up the sorrel? Zorya turned around within the dark forest, her eyes on the dark lush canopy above her then to her right. She was at the lake again, which caused her to frown. The horse was tied at a tree after the lake but, she couldn't have passed him.
She turned around and stood in place for a moment, to get her bearings straight. He's over there and the lake's here. The horse should be there, she mumbled to herself. Zorya began for the general direction of the unconscious General and didn't see the slight ripples beneath the lake that was so calm only seconds before...
Zorya carefully scanned the thick tree trunks for any splash of dark red that could be her horse. The occasional distant dragon roar could be heard and each time that happened Zorya nearly jumped into the air. What had convinced her to come out here in the first place?
So help me if Galese simply ran off with another . We'll see if she likes slaying dragons, Zorya grumbled angrily now, her focus and attention elsewhere.
So entrenched in her own thoughts Zorya nearly tripped over a small rock. Her arms flailed temporarily as she steadied herself and her foot kicked the errant stone away from her path. Zorya would've continued back to the camp but her foot halted in mid air as the stone hit a tree trunk with a sickeningly wet slap.
She looked about her and faintly recognized the trees. A few branches were out of place but other than that... That was of course before she saw the branch the horse had been tied to. Nothing of the limb remained connected to the tree, the bark scraped from where the branch had been. The pale wood was marred by a bright splash of red, the wetness still drying, sporadic patches already a dark rust color.
Her stomach heaved as her eyes trailed down the tree, where it appeared a dark root was splattered with the red stuff. The ragged edge of the root suggested it was something other than plant matter and Zorya turned away. Why the hell was this happening to her? She couldn't even leave Dilandau here if she wanted to now!
A few minutes of deep breaths helped to calm her stomach, even as the metallic odor seeped into her nose. With a resolved last deep breath Zorya faced the grisly remains. She had to salvage what she could, or she'd be forced to rely off whatever the hell psycho boy brought with him. Although I don't think he'd share anyway. Zorya fought the urge to retch once more as she picked up half of one of her packs and a bloodied saddle blanket.
Celena tried to sleep in the darkness that swallowed her room whole. Something was wrong, she could feel it. Dilandau? Dilandau? Dilandau answer me... please Dilandau. Don't leave me alone... She felt so weak now, like a newborn babe that wailed for its mother.
Mother... For a moment Celena saw the older woman in her mind's eye. Just before the horrible accident... Dilandau? she gently asked once more and felt a weak mental wall at last. Celena could've easily broken it and invaded his thoughts but chose not to. He was alive, that was all that mattered. She was not alone.
She felt he was safe for the moment, and could faintly hear an echo of his dreams. Celena expected to recoil in fear or disgust at what she might see through his mind but, tears pricked at her eyes. A woman stood on the edge of a lake, her brilliant silver blue hair cascaded down her back like a princess from a fairy tale. Celena shut her eyes willingly to remember and join her brother with his dream, that memory...
The lake surface rippled gently as the wind tickled the mirror surface. He let out a high giggle but insanity failed to color it. Joy, happiness, curiosity, love... he felt all those things, just by watching the lake. Beside him an even higher laugh accompanied his own.
He turned his eyes, bright garnet and full of life, to meet the blue mirror of his own. Her silvery blond hair came down in loose ringlets and clung to her rosy skin. Momma! Momma I wanna go in the boat this time. Mama! he squealed and ran to the only other person there. Silvery blue hair cascaded down the woman's back in fine strands. Her violet eyes echoed with so many emotions that he couldn't identify them all. The small smile on her face, the way her eyes sparkled at the two children, led him to believe she was truly happy.
You know we should only go one at a time or the boat will be too heavy.
That's only because Celena eats too many sweets, he proclaimed quite fiercely which only made his sister cry.
Momma that's not true! Take it back Dilandau! she yelled at him, though Dilandau grinned lightly.
Dilandau, that wasn't what a young gentleman would say, his mother said in reproach.
He averted his eyes from his mother. Her eyes, they didn't look very happy right now. I'm sorry, he said sincerely and could feel his sister's smugness even if he didn't see her face.
Now let's practice and then we'll all go in the boat. Dilandau come here, Celena watch carefully and I'll take you up next. Dilandau's eyes shot up, joy clouded his mind. He could ignore the stuffy shirt and starched vest he wore or the itching pants his mother forced him into.
His mother's dress billowed outwards like great drapes from the Asturian palace in Palas. The faint birthmarks, or birthrights if he knew his own heritage better, on her forehead were visible as she tilted her head upwards. Her bangs fell away from her face and she closed her violet eyes. Dilandau half-sprinted, half-jumped to her, his excitement giving him more energy than any eight year old really needed. Her violet eyes opened at the exact right moment and she opened her arms to him. It wasn't easy for her to hold him as he was already as tall as her bosom. She managed though and he guessed it was because of her magic. The magic she promised to teach him one day.
She smiled at him and Dilandau saw only soft silky feathers all around them. Did he miss it? Had she released her wings that fast? One day I'll be able to do that, Dilandau marveled, even as the familiar feeling of dread settled in his stomach. Each time he tried to release his wings he failed. The fact that Celena hadn't been given the training yet was the only thing that kept Dilandau from not trying at all.
But I wanna fly Momma! Celena whined plaintively.
Dilandau smirked as his mother deftly unbuttoned his shirt and turned him in her arms. His smug and triumphant face only seemed to provoke Celena even further.
Dilandau don't smile like that. You're a gen-
-tleman and should act like one. If I was a gentleman shouldn't I live in a palace like the knights?
No one of our line has ever been a knight Dilandau.
he said incredulously as she pulled his shirt over his head.
Once, but that was a long time ago, when we had power... All done. Ready? She changed the subject so easily that it took him a few moments to realize that she evaded his questions again. He had barely anytime to continue his questions as she pushed off the ground, her hands on his stomach and arms locked beneath his as Gaea tried to pull him back.
His mother's will was greater than Gaea's and soared above the ground and Celena. For a moment he was tempted to tease his sister again but didn't. He didn't want to his mother to drop him without warning as punishment. Dilandau wasn't sure how long they flew in the air. Then it happened.
They circled a patch of the lake and Dilandau thought he saw something move beneath the mirror surface.
Don't be afraid, they'll come to help you. Do not fear them, she whispered into his ears. It was then he couldn't feel her arms holding him up; he was falling...
Zorya stared into the fire, worry lines creasing her face. It had been two days since Dilandau had been knocked out cold, and he still hadn't shown any signs of waking up; aside from a while ago when he had moaned then gone quiet again... With a tired sigh, Zorya pulled up her knees to rest her forehead on them. She didn't remember the route to the caste either, and couldn't get there without her horse. It figured some dragon chose to eat it for a snack while she'd been out hunting them. An eye for an eye I guess, she mumbled and propped her chin up on her knees now.
The fire was small tonight, as she was afraid of anything larger would call to her or attract an animal. The flames licked at the dark sky, wishing to be fed with something, something to keep them immortal. How they wished to be given more kindling, or even the whole forest to feast on.
What about me? Why didn't you feast on me? she tentatively held one hand out to the fire, half expecting some sort of demon to rise from it and pull her in.
Instead the warm flames played with her fingers,though never burning her. Puzzled at the warmth she felt without the sweltering pain, Zorya did a very foolish thing. She plunged her hand into the fire.
She waited and expected to smell burnt flesh at any second or feel the sizzling pain override her nerves. It never happened. Frustrated that the fire was disobeying every possible law of nature, Zorya closed her hand into a fist and waited for it to be burnt from the inside out. Instead she felt the gentle heat warm her hand but, nothing more. Curious now, Zorya pulled her hand out and opened it, palm up.
She held a small ball of fire there now, right in the palm of her hand.
Latro ignored the stench about him, the depressing grey stones that made up the castle's dungeon walls. His deep green eyes unseeing the corridor about him. Tonight was the last night of his punishment. What had he been punished for though, speaking with the princess?
He could still hear her voice, as if she were there in the bowls of the castle with him. And instead of the putrid smell of the dungeon latrines he could only breath her scent; the roses and strawberries.
Latro would've been content to just stay in his reverie, of his last vision of her. Of his... dare he say his princess? The blissful vision was shattered as screams of agony echoed off the dank stone walls. He brought his head up his sword drawn as quickly as a dragon breathed fire. The wails of women and cries of anguished men continued to haunt the walls until Latro started for his post's exit.
A clamor of footsteps could barely be heard above the wails and Latro steeled himself against the possibility that the castle was being invaded. Instead of grey and brown armor however, familiar muted blue black dragon armor entered the room. Latro blinked in surprise, not quite sure of what was happening now. Korent? Ryuon? What's going on?
There's no time to explain. We have to find Lord Dilandau, Ryuon said quickly and threw a cautious look over his shoulder.
You haven't seen him recently have you Latro? Korent persisted. Latro looked between the two, who's swords were drawn but kept looking to the latrines' entrance. Korent's ice blue eyes and Ryuon's dark violet eyes watched him between cautious glances at the exit.
No. Why what's happened to Master Dilandau? Fear nearly seeped into his voice but the wails continued to cover any unneeded emotion he added to his words. Ryuon and Korent exchanged a glance before finally locking Latro's eyes with their own.
The falling sensation stopped and Dilandau didn't know where he was, only that he was alone. He'd called out to them, to his mother and sister, to anyone to help him and they hadn't. He wasn't like Celena dammit, he wasn't needy. He could live alone. But as the darkness surrounded him, his fears did as well. He'd always be alone. His mother left, his father left... Celena would leave him, the slayers would leave him. Just like Jajuka, Dallet, Guimel, Migel and Folken.
No! No! I am not alone! Not alone!
He tried to grin, to show he was strong. No, he'd never be alone. Death was his constant companion, with the flames and chaos as his comrades. Yes, the fires... the fire. His scene of harmony suddenly shifted to the last dragon he had slain. Why had he slain it? To spare someone's life?
But the fire... the fire had called to them...
Dilandau's eyes snapped wide open, the pupils dilated then shrunk to tiny dots of black. For a moment he could only see blobs of color but, that soon sharpened into something he might have mistaken for a dream. The scene did not disturb him as it might have others, a fire filled his vision. He looked around the fire though and saw her, holding something.
He was about to close his eyes when he saw what she was holding. A ball of light, of reds, oranges and yellows. The color of flames. His mouth opened as he tried to say something, accuse her of being some sort of demon. The look on her face was anything but however. She looked interested, curious as to the flame in her hand. For the moment, he would be silent, and observe his prey.
She sighed and dropped the ball into the base of the fire, which heightened slightly but nothing more. Dilandau yawned involuntarily, drawing her eyes to his. You're finally up.
So? Where are we and for how long?
Still in the forest, for two days.
What? Why didn't you leave-
She shook her head, as if reprimanding him. Number one, some dragon decided to eat my horse. Without it I have no clue where to go. Number two, you were unconscious. Dilandau shut his mouth. He would've only expected his slayers to do something like that. And if I went back without you no doubt your slayers would have my head, she added after he said nothing. Dilandau racked his mind for some sort of comeback but found it blank as a slate. You do know the way out of here, right?
He couldn't believe how weak his voice sounded. Don't tell me I'm still sore too. He tried to prop himself up and found it took all of his strength to do so. That meant one thing: he'd be relying off his prey to give him back his strength. That was something no hunter ever did, certainly something no dragonslayer would ever considered doing. His red eyes closed, as he tried to think of something positive in this situation. That shield must've used more of my energy than I thought. I have to put my life in her hands for now, there's nothing else I can do. Some tiny portion of his brain rejected that, told him he could leave on his own horse he'd stowed away and kill her. He rejected that however. This was the best course of action.
Are you all right?
I'm fine. I just need a day or two to regain my strength. Then I'll leave. She nodded, as if ignoring how he said I'll leave' and not we'll leave'.
So, you think you can walk and such?'
his voice annoyed as he tried to think, his eyes still closed.
her voice was soft and Dilandau surveyed the small camp' more closely. Zorya refused to look at him and Dilandau didn't exactly care about that until she spoke once more. Then can you go take a bath. You smell pretty foul.
Syrun released another breath of air as he felt her release the ball of flames. He needed her to trust it, or the sacrifice would not be completed on time. I don't see why we even bother keeping him. Zongi's going to fetch the goddess anyway, Syrun heard Garufo's quiet muttering. The halfling chose to ignore the sorcerer however and focused on Zorya.
He felt her calm at the thought of the fire and a smile of relief filled Syrun's face. She is ready for another binding spell if necessary. Otherwise I will call her, he interrupted the sorcerers, his voice easily overpowered their own.
His pale blue eyes opened and saw two of the four sorcerers at the other end of the room. Only Paruchi looked at him and nodded at the job well done. And Galese?
I can not attempt to tamper with her. She may be more damaged than the goddess when pulled through the flames, Syrun said in a near apologetic voice. I will call the goddess?
Of course and continue to work on that dragonslayer. Soon they will all fall and Celet will be left defenseless and the goddess ripe for the sacrifice, Paruchi said with a smug smile. Syrun repressed the urge to sigh and shake his head. The four could not possibly understand the powers they hoped to unleash... Garufo, I need to assist Foruma with controlling the ex-councilmen. Keep an eye on him. Syrun said nothing, nor did Garufo at that command. The second Paruchi opened the door however it was apparent Foruma's news had not gone over well with the castle folk.
Celena's deep peaceful slumber was rudely awaken and she nearly fell from her oversized chair. Had something happened to Dilandau? She reached out and gently felt his mental wall, stronger than before but, she could feel... Dilandau, no... Oh Dilandau no... Celena bit down on her lower lip in agitation. This could not be happening...
She shook her head and forced herself not to think about it. All that mattered was that Celena felt he was all right. The sister of the general stood up gracefully, ready to open the door to her room. The sounds that woke her up were still echoing through the thick wooden door to her chambers. For a moment she almost thought that Hiwero had invaded but she did not hear the familiar war cry of the dragonslayers.
She flung the door to her room open and watched as guards ran down the halls, while women wept and old men cried by their wives' sides. What's happened?! she called to one. They ignored her however and with a frustrated look on her face, Celena rushed off to the only people who would tell her something.
Finding one of the informed people proved to be nearly as difficult as trying to get something out of the wailing women. She could faintly make out the words king', traitor' and kill them all' amongst the cries of anguish. Celena was sure she'd run all over the castle before she finally caught sight of Gatty just descending a staircase to the lower dungeon complex. Celena ran after him and stopped at the doorway at the top of the stairs.
she called out, her voice hoarse from running from her room to their quarters. The ash blond haired boy's eyes widened somewhat as he saw her in the doorway.
Lady Celena!
Gatty, what... what happened? The look of surprise on his face was quickly clouded over by anger and sadness. Sadness? Gatty what's the matter? What don't you want to tell me?
You haven't heard? The king, the king passed away Celena. They just found the body and they suspect-
Ehetwoh's eyes watched the shore with eagle eyes. Zongi called to them, told his kind that a flame haired goddess was in the area and that she had to be captured. The last time he'd seen her was last night but she had stared at a tree and not approached the water at all.
The merman was afraid at first, who was he to incite a goddess' wrath? But her powers are gone, Zongi will restore her powers with the sorcerers. Ehetwoh was not completely convinced about that however. The sorcerers, under Lord Folken, enslaved his race. Who was he to believe the liars? Through Zongi's persuasions the water dwellers and beastmen were given some rights at least.
That's the only reason I help Zongi now, the merman thought and blinked his second pair of eyelids beneath the water then resurfaced silently. She was there on the far shore of the lake, ready to enter the cold water. He watched her just like he had yesterday and two days ago, her form a stark pale color against the dark trees behind her. She held something about her and in one hand but as two days ago she would remove it and enter the cool water. Ehetwoh tilted his head to the side slightly, pity for the goddess welling within him. It was not up to him what the sorcerers would do, if the even kept their word at all.
It was s pity the goddess hadn't explored the other side of the lake, where hot springs rested in caves and he never would've seen her. The same thermal subterranean rivers that fueled the hot springs ran beneath the lake and heated it somewhat. The increase in temperature was no more than five to seven degrees at most but, it was something. It was enough to ensure no warm-blooded land dweller wold freeze to death, provided they didn't stay in the water too long. Ehetwoh set his face with grim determination and ducked beneath the surface. He could wait a little longer, wait for the ready call from his brethren downstream, ready to escort the goddess to a Hiwero outpost.
She took one step in, and he waited. He could wait as long as he needed to. After all that was a water dweller's life, waiting for the right opportunity no matter what it concerned. The merman allowed his body to sink deeper into the lake and he slowly swam for the shore.
The cold water shocked the skin of her ankles but Zorya took another step in, a look thrown over her shoulder to the tree branch with her towel' (the now clean saddle blanket from the sorrel) on it. Her armor and what remained of her thick cloak (which was still stained with horse blood) were behind the tree at its base. The saddle blanket swayed gently in the steadily warming breeze around her. A sudden cool wind blew her hair into her face, preventing her from catching the slight wake out towards the east shore of the lake; the wake that was caused by something that submerged fairly quickly. Zorya walked further into the clear water, fears from her childhood resurfacing. Fears of the deep and unknown, of sharks and monsters that could drag her under in the time it took to blink.
Oh what the hell, its not like there's anything here. And he won't wake up anytime soon, she said softly and stayed close to the shallow end for a few minutes. She scrubbed at her skin and hair with what little Gaean soap she had left. The majority of her supplies were probably in the belly of some dragon, along with the horse she borrowed'. The morning sky brightened around her and a soft push of water against her legs as she submerged her head was all the warning she received that she was not alone.
Dilandau grumbled as he made his way through the forest. First she complained that he snored, then that he ate like a wild beast and then that he smelled worse than some sewer rat. He didn't know what the last one was but, he bet it was an extremely malodorous creature. Something that was certainly not fit to compare him to.
Now agitated, he pulled at the clasps of his armor, concentrating more on them than the forest he walked through. He managed to take off the white overcoat piece and pulled off the breastplate without too much trouble and had just taken off the rest of his upper torso's armor when he decided to finally look at his surroundings.
He'd found he small lake they'd passed the day they hunted the dragon. Hd faintly recalled Zorya mentioning it as well from the day before when she had been looking for the remains of her horse and found nothing more than a bloodied saddle blanket and half a bag of supplies not worth saving. The lake however, wasn't empty. Zorya was in it, her back to him as she just stood in one place beneath the water, her shoulders and head just barely above the surface.
So this is where you ran off to and left me to fend off the dragons. I must not be the only sewer rat' here. Dilandau parted his lips in a smile, ready to come out with some crude remark but stopped. The grin remained, as he dropped the white coat and breast plate, along with the rest of his armor that he lugged to the lake. This could prove to be quite amusing, especially since he never conceded the hunt, well not entirely.
Dilandau looked around, not letting her out of his sight completely, and found a nice tree to lean against. His grin widened,Yes this will be very amusing...
Zorya opened her eyes. She could've sworn she'd heard something behind her. Cautiously, Zorya turned her head around and quickly checked around her. No, everything was just as she left it, except. What was that touch of red? And was that... white? Drawing her arms around herself protectively, Zorya tried to tread the lake's water.
Albatou, is that you? she called out, half of her hoping it wasn't him, the other hoping it was. She did not want to deal with Dilandau and another guy; especially not in the lake.
You should be more careful. A merman might snatch you up and drag you under, his callous voice rang clear over the water's surface. What irritated her was the smugness in it though, she could just picture the silver haired boy smirking at her from behind some tree. And what would I tell the king about his princess substitute, eh Zorya?
Look, just throw me the saddle blanket and I'll leave.
You mean this? He stepped out of the forest now, maybe twenty feet from her. Zorya stopped treading the water and tried to move out deeper. All she knew about him, how he did nothing without his slayers and how they would do anything for him, faltered. He didn't look all that trustworthy now, even with the preference she assumed he had. To add to her distrust was his appearance. He was shirtless, as if he'd been ready to bathe, and dangling her precious towel' from his left hand. Come and get it.
Just give it to me, please?
Afraid to come out of the water?
No, I... just give it!
Do you want me to swim out there and give it to you?
NO! Stay back! Or else-
Or else you'll what? Dilandau replied, the grin not leaving his face. It was about then that Zorya's face turned as red as a tomato, a few shades brighter than her hair.
This is the thanks I get for making sure you didn't die?! I'm sure the king, hell any of your slayers would've acted more grateful you little jerk!
Jerk? That's not nice Zorya, he taunted further, beginning to swing the towel back and forth. Are you afraid of me? his tone was aloof now though, it didn't have the edge he'd used in the previous taunts.
You... you... asshole! Just give me the towel! she shouted at him. He blinked. That was all he did in response to her little fit. That perhaps infuriated her even more.
You didn't answer my question, his tone was serious now, his arms folded over his chest, the towel still in his hands.
Give me the towel! The grin left his face and was replaced by a menacing frown.
Answer the question. Zorya tried to take a step back and had the pleasure of being submerged for a moment as her feet lost touch with the bottom. Sputtering as she came up for air, Zorya ignored seaweed brush against her leg. Seaweed in a lake? Yes, its normal, don't panic.
Fine! I'm terrified of you, is that the answer you want? Now give me the towe-
She submerged a second time, this time not because of her footing. She felt the slimy seaweed brush her leg again, this time it felt like it was pulling her. She popped up at the surface again, her face no longer bright red. In fact she could've cared less if her whole entire high school stood at the lake's shores. Fear made her discard the formalities between them,Dil-Dilandau please, please give me the towel.
She struggled to swim a few feet forward at the same time as she covered herself. Dilandau's smirk didn't return. He stared down at her coldly, his eyes frozen bits of blood. She managed to get a solid footing and tried to walk out a bit, pausing before it got too shallow to hide herself. However, she felt the seaweed tickling her heels every inch of the way. Dilandau... what do mermen look like? her voice hushed and she tried hard not to shake as she fought the urge to look behind her.
There aren't any here. His voice was cold as he stared he kept his eyes locked with hers.
Are there dragons in here?
his tone was that of an adult telling a child who should've known better.
Then what the hell is pulling on my le- she didn't get to finish screaming as she was dragged under water at a speed she couldn't reach if she was swimming. She saw Dilandau smirk for a moment at her discomfort and then his face had blanked. She couldn't see anything now, the water dredged up by whatever was pulling her. Zorya sputtered beneath the surface and struggled to break it, to get more air. Whatever had her had the same idea and loosened it's hold on her. It was enough for her to kick free and break the surface. And for the first time since she'd arrived on the strange world, she was never more relieved to see Dilandau's face. she shouted, waving her hands, trying to get his attention. He had run along the bank and was nearly parallel with her. The towel!
You're worried about a towel when some merman is going to steal you away to feed his young?
Zorya's face blanked and went a horrible white color before she was dragged under again. This time however she saw the face of her kidnapper. His face and body weren't how the fairy tale books had said he'd look. He was hideous with pieces of weeds and dead fish sticking out of his hair. Zorya tried to punch at him, to try and do something but couldn't. His fists held hers, while his some other appendage held her legs. His mouth moved, forming words but Zorya was too panic stricken to try and make them out.
The next thing she knew, blue blood filled the water and someone was pushing her away. She broke the surface, gasping for air. Zorya knew it was Dilandau who had swam out to kill the thing, and she grabbed for him. For the moment he was more concerned with the merthing than with her towel and-
She grabbed it, quickly wrapping the soaked cloth around her. Not that it would do much good but it was better than nothing. Zorya ran, or rather, trudged out of the water as quickly as possible, only stopping when she was on solid ground out of the water's reach. She watched as the water bubbled and foamed, with a bright blue liquid in the water along with red... blood? the idiot didn't get himself hurt again... did he? Concern flooded Zorya and she took a step forward, expecting to see the familiar spikes of silver pop out of the water any second now. One bubble, two bubbles... nothing.
How the hell am I supposed to get back to the castle now?! her voice soft fear within his name, hoping the merman hadn't actually won.
She didn't hear the soft footsteps behind her, the swishing of wet sand as something moved it. Zorya did feel the cold clammy hand on her shoulder however. She whirled around and slapped her attacker, or ahem, rescuer as was the case. Dilandau was unprepared, or simply allowed her to slap him, one hand on her shoulder as she shook uncontrollably.
I warned you about the lake- he retorted, the cruel grin back and uncaring for what she had just gone through. She could've cared less if he was a dragonslayer and had gone through all this before, she wasn't and wasn't supposed to! She was suppose to be sitting in a class right now, learning about supply and demand, calculus and everything but this!
You asshole! Do you have any idea of what you put me through? I'm so scared and angry I could scream at you and all you'd do is just grin. What sort of psycho are you? You enjoy seeing someone weak and beneath your power hm? You make me sick, though her half-sobs were broken by the anger and fear beneath her words. Zorya closed her eyes now, as tears threatened to overcome her. For that brief moment she thought she'd been all alone, with no one to help her. Hell, Dilandau was better than nothing even if he did freak her out. She did the only thing her mind emotionally accepted. One hand still held the towel around her, she fell into Dilandau, one hand clutched at his shoulder. She didn't want to be alone here, not with the flames and the water trying to kill her. Zorya knew the dragon's flames would have killed her those distant days before but, that was only because she was looking back on it.
She cried openly now, not caring that Dilandau was frozen in disgust or shock. She needed to get it out of her system, and neither Celena nor Galese were there to pour it out on. Dilandau, well, he would just have to do. It took Dilandau a good two miets before he lightly placed his hands on her shoulders.
Dilandau froze like an Earth deer in the headlights. He'd expected her to scream, yell curse at him, maybe even try to kick him again. Anything that would allow him to act in self defense and end the hunt right here and now. Instead she'd screamed at him briefly and then flung herself onto his chest. End it... Send her away... Dilandau narrowed his eyes at the scenery behind her and forced those thoughts to return to whatever place they'd come from. As her soaked form shook against him slightly.
That was something the General of the Dragonslayers was never trained for, never even prepared for. He could remember though, before being a dragonslayer how his father had held his mother when she cried. When she cried about him going to war... Just kill her and be done with it, end the hunt! End it NOW! Dilandau tried to fight the part of his mind that screamed at him.
Innocent blood, it had never bothered him before. Why was it bothering him now? He shouldn't be bothered by it at all! His hands went to her shoulders, ready to move to her neck. Strangle or snap it, two very good methods. As her body shook against him, Dilandau was fraught with emotions, emotions that had never reared their heads before now. He closed his eyes in consternation, giving up in defeat. He'd allowed the hunt to go on for too long and couldn't kill his prey now, not even if he got his answers possibly... It was just like the dilemma of the hunters who tried to kill the unicorn, they'd hunt it for years only to find the graceful and beautiful beast was too great a prize for them to kill. I'll have to make sure Ryuon or Latro does it for me. That solves the problem.
She stopped her sniffling then, her head bowed, not meeting his gaze. You know, her tone forcibly lighter. If you just gave me back my towel none of this would've happened. She brushed at her eyes with her free hand, beginning to walk away from him. And another thing, I don't care if you bathe with your slayers but I don't bathe with anyone, especially not you! Have some modesty for goodness sake and some consideration. She was trying to sound harsh but Dilandau didn't feel the venom that was usually in her words.
I don't bathe with my slayers, his voice tried to sound reprimanding. His cheek tingled slightly from her slap before, a slap that Dilandau would've struck any other person down for daring to strike him.
Yea, sure you don't. You probably do everything else with them too, she grumbled under her breath and walked away in the wet towel.
Now what was that supposed to mean? Dilandau forced himself to look way to concentrate on something other than her or the hunt. He pulled off one soggy boot, and then the next, along with his sword's scabbard. It would be horrible if it rusted, especially after all these years of use. Dilandau undid the clasps on his wet pants and quickly took them off, laying them on some rock to dry. He certainly didn't care if she watched, there wasn't any shame in it. Still, that slayers comment nagged him. Free of all restraints Dilandau headed back into the water, having no qualms about being somewhere in which he'd killed something.
He closed his eyes and began to swim out toward the center. Something nagged at the back of his mind, something he wasn't quite sure of. Why didn't he get his answers just now? Certainly he could've pulled them from her with little effort but...
Dilandau tried to shrug off the feeling and gently tested his mind's powers. He felt Celena, her mind too preoccupied to notice his own gentle push. She was distraught, angry, afraid. A lazy smirk pulled at his lips as he stopped swimming. So, she'd been afraid he was gone. Though Dilandau failed to admit it, he might very well feel just as Celena did. He could barely remember ever being apart from her, except ten years ago after their mother died... Dilandau tried to push that memory aside, of the fear and loneliness that filled him those terrifying two years in the barren lands without her. The feelings were replaced with new ones, recent ones and Dilandau cursed quite loudly across the lake's surface.
Despite all he did to stop thinking about Zorya his mind went back to her, to when he spotted her in the lake. Something was out of place, something that wasn't supposed to be. When it hit him Dilandau submerged briefly and came up coughing the cold lake water. She'd said his name, not General or Albatou but she'd said is name... But she was so afraid each time she'd said it. She called out of fear... Fear... Fear is such a strong emotion... Dilandau had seen fear on the faces of everyone he killed, he reveled in it. Not now, Dilandau wanted anything but to see it now.
Zorya couldn't believe the nerve of Dilandau. She made sure he didn't die and nearly being dragged off by some merman was the thanks she got? I'm glad I kneed him when I had the chance, her thoughts full of anger. She still remembered how he had sounded, all high and squeaky; just like Mickey Mouse. Yea if you can picture mickey mouse threatening to kill someone.
She pushed her way through the bushes and small trees to find her armor in one nice neat pile, just as she'd left it. Still she'd expected him to do something worse when she fell into his arms, well when she grabbed him and then he put his hands on her shoulders. But he hadn't, he'd actually been a normal person, almost a gentleman... She quickly picked up the armor, intending to carry it back to the camp to put it on rather than risk being seen by Dilandau.
But why had she broken down right then and there? Sure she could've waited to get back to camp and then sob to her little heart's content. I am such an idiot, she mumbled to herself, one hand still holding up the towel, the other hauling the armor over one shoulder.
It was almost too much for her to bear. Too many things happening at once and she couldn't adjust to all of it. Its all the fire's fault. I would be at home and fine if it weren't for the fire-
Trust us, you are still our salvation. Trust our fire goddess-
Then why did you try and kill me!? Zorya shouted out loud to the forest. Her sudden outburst sent birds flying from their perches, the animals in the underbrush frozen as if a dragon itself roared. The voice was silent which only added fuel to Zorya's anger. She was put through this hell on Gaea because of it. Zorya dropped the armor temporarily to throw the ragged cloak around her shoulders. The forest had taken on a cold wind and she didn't like it. No point in getting sick just so he could gloat over how weak she was.
