A/N: Just so you know this story is based on in an A/U. (Alternate universe.) Although everything is pretty much the same there may be subtle differences, but nothing overly important. Dilandau and Celena are two separate people, And in the last chapter that wasn't Dilandau who kicked her, or said she was a bitch, that part of the chapter is misleading, sorry I'll have to fix that... Just so there's no confusion it was the Austurian Soldiers chasing after her that did that to her. Now that that's cleared up, go ahead and read Chapter 5!
P/S: This chapter begins with a flash back, and it switches back and forth for the first ... um... ½ of the chapter. It's pretty obvious, just thought I should tell you.
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"Memories"
Ch. 5 - Geae
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"Jade! You're not concentrating!" Roared Van as my sword escaped my grasp once again. I was drenched in sweat. With torn and achy muscles I shuffled over to where my sword had fallen.
"Ika..." I picked it up again.
"Focus." He ordered. "You have the skill Jade, Just trust your self to use it."
I nodded once and we resumed training.
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I'd learned how to protect myself, and others as well. All thanks to Van and his grueling training.
There were so many things I never had the chance to tell him... like thanks... for everything. But along with new friendships formed when I arrived in Fanellia, came many sorrows.
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Van appeared in the hallway, shutting the door softly behind him. He was white as a sheet, shocked by the sight of childbirth most likely.
"It's a girl." He said.
"Congratulations." I replied standing from my slumped position against the cold stone wall. The stiff leather of my gloves creaked as I lay a hand on his shoulder. His eyes were down cast. They weren't the eyes of a happy father.
"Van?"
He looked at me. Shaking his head slightly. "Celena...She..." he drew in a deep breath. "She's dead." He said quietly.
"Oh Van..." I gasped. He may have been royalty but I didn't care. I pulled him into my embrace. Wrapping comforting arms around him. We stood there, neither one of us wanting to break the silence.
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Celena had been dear to us both. Vans wife, mother of his child. And more than just a friend to myself. There had been so much loss over the past ten years... too much.
I sat. And stared. Not looking at anything in particular. I chose a spot on the floor. And stared at it. It had been like this for hours now. Me. Just sitting. And staring. At nothing. Reminiscing about the past.
"Don't be afraid to speak. I won't bite." Said Niemo lightly. I ignored her and continued my examination of the brownish/red dirt. Niemo was assigned to 'cater to my needs' or baby sit me. Which ever way you wanted to look at it. Personally I found her rather annoying. "Don't feel like talking eh? That's understandable." She replied to herself. "You know when I was little my father was in the military... Come to think of it... He was a high ranking officer...hmph. He was sure a strange man."
I glanced up at her. She arched an eyebrow. I glared at her. "Never saw him around much. Died when I was quiet young, I was probably 7... Never got to know him that well."
At that moment Dilandau entered the tent. Introductions had been made earlier, while we were traveling to Zibach's camp. Not that I had paid much attention to the conversations they had tried to engage with me, but for some reason his name stuck. It was odd. He was odd. It was as if he shouldn't have been there.
"Does she ever shut up?" I asked.
"Rarely." Niemo's face scrunched up in a annoyed scowel. "This way." He said. Leading me out of the tent.
Zibachs base camp. They had set up no too far from the Fanallian border. Apparently another alliance was being formed. Zibach, Presdet, and Ominu, were in the process of joining their military forces, and all their resources, a council had been formed, the council consisted of the leaders of each country, and their generals. Although why they were trusting Zibach was beyond me.
I frowned, seeing the bodies of men being laid to rest in a makeshift cemetery. Shaking my head I continued to walk side-by-side with Dilandau.
"Were you planning to attack us?" I asked. Dilandau hesitated before replying.
"We wished to eliminate the Dra- ... Escaflowne."
"I see. Austuria must have been a pleasant twist to your plan then." My voice was venomous.
"You could say that."
"Why then, did you assisted me?" I asked, glancing at him suspiciously.
He stopped in front of a tent. Raising the flap he let me enter first. I was cautious, curling my fingers around the hilt of my sword. Ready for an attack.
"At ease... M'lady..." spoke a man slowly. Looking me up and down, seeming slightly confused by my armor. I nodded towards him.
"Jade." I said.
"Lord Estyu. It's an honor." He said. Standing up and picking up my hand kissing it lightly. I pulled my hand away giving him an icy glare.
The tent was more extravagant than the other's I'd seen. It was a royal purple, lined with gold, the material looked extremely heavy.
"I am ruler of Presdet. And these are my generals, Straduis and Liui." I raised an eyebrow. The two men didn't look as though they could lead themselves up a ladder, let alone into war.
"Lord Hytui and Lady Kmioe." Dilandau motioned towards the two sitting across from Estyu. "Also their son Guire, who is serving as their General at the moment."
'You have to be kidding.' This was a sorry group of people. A short laugh escaped me. "Dilandau, I wish to speak with you privately." I demanded, rather than asked. I was tired of being pushed around today. I matched Dilandau's look of annoyance with one of equal influence.
Estyu cleared his throat. "Maybe it's best if we let Lady Jade speak with Lord Dilandau alone." He headed for the exit. His generals not far behind him. One of them nearly falling over the others chair on their way. Hytiu & Kmioe, were slower than Estyu.
'Pure idiocy.' I thought, watching the woman raise her chin high into the air, crossing her arms. 'Or maybe just arrogance...'
"Mother. Father." Said Guire patiently. Standing up and waiting for them. They stood up and followed reluctantly.
I nodded walking around the table situated in the middle of the room, placing the pieces of this puzzle together. "Your using them..." I whispered, mostly to myself. "You using them for their resources, and their numbers. Not because you want the war to stop. You want more power, so you offer to help the smaller weaker countries. Convince them that the only way to ensure their safety and the safety of their country, is to destroy the 'dragon'." It made sense. Zibach wasn't exactly a country known for their alliances.
Dilandau didn't speak for a minute.
"Why lady Jade, I'm hurt." He said with poorly faked emotion. He laughed. "Destroying the Dragon 'was' the only way to ensure our safety."
"Destroying the bastards that started this war is the only way to ensure our safety." I hissed under my breath. Realizing what I said didn't really make much sense, and that it was a vengeful reaction to Dilandau's smug attitude about Van's demise. I shifted slightly. "Your army. It controls the southern sector of this continent, does it not? Fanallia had most of the west sector, Austuria East... and the other countries made up the rest." I was talking to myself now, trying to think of a battle plan against Austuria. "Austuria now has Fanallias capital... She has no heir anyway... Maybe if we enter through Palas... No that wouldn't work... or would it?"
"So you agree."
"Agree to what?" I snapped. Looking at the maps strewn carelessly across the table.
"You agree to help us... We've seen you in battle Jade. You're a very valuable soldier."
'We've seen you in battle Jade. You're a very valuable soldier.' His words repeated in my head. I had never fought against Zibach... How could they have seen me in battle?
"No. My decision has not been made yet. But for now I will work with you..." I replied. I would take my time in making the decision to join Zibach. I needed refuge at the time, and this was the best I would be getting. And I didn't trust him. After all the last time Zibach was involved in a war, they were trying to take over Geae.
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A/N: Well that the 5th chapter! The next few chapters should be more interesting... The Plot will start to develop. (^.^) Bu-Bye for now!!!!!!!!
Coming Soon, 'Chapter 6 -Situation'
- Chaos