{This chapter of "Dirandau is my sister" is brought to you by Chesta's Miracle Cut Healer…guaranteed to heal all wounds in less time than it takes to slap someone.

[Since it's Chesta who presents this product, you know that the slogan must be true.]

Onward and upward, wherever the wind takes us…hopefully away from Fred the vicious rubber chicken.:-)}


Allen and Dirandau were now on a carriage ride to the "Capital of Justice." Eries had summoned them...or, rather, she had summoned Dirandau.

Dirandau was asleep on one of the seats. In order to wake him out of that stupor, Allen had given him some 'medicine.' That was a terrible idea. Now, his mind was back in order, but he was unconscious. Allen just hoped he'd wake up before they got to the capital...

He stared out the window. Everything was pristine, completely white. And unfeeling. This place seemed like a morgue. No one ever came here unless they had to. And he had to.
Why was it always so hard? It seemed, no matter what he did, whenever he cared about someone...
He was like an idiot, willfully running into brick walls... Why did he have to care about this killer? Why?

He didn't have time to wonder anymore. They pulled up at the palace gates. He carried Dirandau inside.


They were led into a lobby, where others awaited to be dealt with. Prisoners of war, citizens who had been dragged into political situations, royals of other countries. So many summons...and it wasn't even a busy day.

"Damnit, I've already told you-"
Eries: "Oh, such language...that's unbecoming a royal, you know."
Dryden: "I'm no royal."
Eries: "Yes you are. You married a princess. You've already ruled the country before. You can do it again."
She smiled, and tried to sound as pleasant as possible.
Eries: "Look...if you agree to this, I'll let you see Millerna."
Dryden looked away, and sighed. Eries smiled even more. This was the right direction....she could get him with this. She moved closer to him.
Eries: "She misses you. She's even asked for you..."
Dryden: "If only...." He knew it couldn't be true.
Eries: "It's such a shame that only royals are allowed by her bedside."
Dryden: "Such a low down wench...using your sister for bait."
He smirked. He could always appreciate good tactics.
Dryden: "Why you even bother trying to get me to take the job is a mystery...you're perfect for it."
Eries: "RrrrrrrRRRR!"
::"Why did he have to be so infuriating??":: Her best advances only made him laugh...she couldn't compete with that.. She gave up for the time being, and walked away.
Dryden tried to leave as well, but was instantly surrounded by some of Eries' advisors. They had a plethora of reasons as to why he should take back the throne.
::"Just smile and nod...smile and nod..."::


By now, Dirandau was awake...and confused. He was about to ask Allen some questions, but Eries approached them. That woman terrified him.
Eries: "Ah....Allen....I trust your trip here was-"
Allen: "No pleasantries today, Eries. Why have you brought us here?"
Eries: "Right to the point. I like that."
She gestured towards a corner away from people. It was right next to some prison cells.
Eries: "If you'll come with me..."


They walked past Dryden, who was now sitting on a table.
Dryden: "Your not using good excuses.....You could've said that a perk of this job would be that you'd stop pestering me with all your talk. Then you might've interested me in it."
The advisors would need reinforcements soon. Dryden's aloof manner and sense of humour was irrepressible, and he was tiring them.


Eries: "I have decided that we must resolve this issue now. I want you to hand Dirandau over to me...there is no point in delaying this."
Allen: "What??? After you said I'd been doing well..."
Eries: "Regardless, I have to take precaution against anything happening in the future."
Allen: "Brick wall..."
Eries: "What did you just call me?"
Allen: "Oh...nothing..."

Dirandau was looking quite cross. They could at least address him...He was not just an 'issue.'

Eries: "I feel for you, Allen. I really do..."
Allen: "Oh, yes. And when I woke up this morning, my first thought was, 'Gee....what a kind, caring, compassionate individual that Eries is...I can't wait to talk to her again!.' "
Eries glared.
Eries: "Careful...I was about to offer you another solution...you keep speaking to me with such disrespect, and I won't try to help you anymore."
Allen: "Oh, no! I won't be helped into an early grave by the good Princess Eries...what a shame!"
Dirandau smirked. So...he could make half-way decent insults....

Allen was about ready to stand up and go. This situation was hopeless. He wouldn't keep hiding behind a mask of manners and grace. He was always hiding behind it....when Marlene was married....when Millerna was married....when his mother died....when.....so many times when terrible things happened, he simply endured it.

Eries: "Don't act like that, or I'll have you prison bound. I have another choice for you. Dirandau would be able to stay with you then, and I wouldn't bother you anymore. You'd like some peace of mind, wouldn't you?"
Allen: "Are you..serious? Of course I would."
Eries: "Good. Now that I have your attention... The only reason problem with you keeping Dirandau is that the people wouldn't stand for a war criminal running around loose in the city."
Dirandau: *Quietly* "I don't do much running around....bitch..."
Eries: "So, all we'd have to do is prove that he won't be a problem...prove his loyalty to Asturia."
Allen was about to say that this was impossible, since Dirandau most definitely had no loyalty to any country other than Zaibach...but that wouldn't have helped the case any.
Eries: "We have plenty of prisoners from the war. Since Dirandau was in Zaibach, he can help us identify what their crimes are. We can't go on to punish them unless we know what to punish them for. What do you say?"
Dirandau: "What?????"
He tried to jump over the desk, to get at Eries, but Allen held him back.
Dirandau: "You're not seriously expecting me to go along with this??"
Eries: "We could just take you now, and decide what your death sentence will be..."
And then there was a series of creative expletives from Dirandau which the author wouldn't dare to type.
Allen clapped his hand over Dirandau's mouth.
Allen: "You aren't helping..."
Eries: "Well, it seems as if he won't cooperate. I'll just have to go get the execution papers, and-"
Allen: "Eries!! You planned this, didn't you?? Came up with something you knew would outrage him so much that you could prove he was still a danger without any trouble whatsoever......"
They continued arguing in this vein for a few minutes.

Dirandau backed away from them. He didn't feel like listening to this.
There was a man standing near one of the cells. He was immensely tall, and dressed in a purple cloak.
He looked like....Strategos...
Dirandau: "Who are you?"
"My name is Aragon. Quite a fight they're having, isn't it?"
Dirandau rolled his eyes.
Dirandau: "I don't want to hear any more about them....they should both die....in flames....."
Aragon: "Say, you're Dirandau, aren't you?"
Dirandau: "What of it?"
Aragon smiled with admiration.
Aragon: "I've so heard much about you! The greatest fighter in all Zaibach. I'd have loved to see you in action...damn that those Asturian bastards had to win."
Dirandau turned to face him. It had been so long since he'd heard anyone else insult Asturia. Or talk about him like that, even after they knew who he was. Even the Seraphim family wouldn't have been so kind.

Serena, as usual, was grumbling in the back of his mind.
::"You're not great...you murdered people in their sleep....you did such awful things, how dare you take things like this as compliments!"::
He tried his best to ignore her.

Dirandau: "You worked in Zaibach? What did you do?"
Aragon: "I was a...doctor. Well, an apprentice, anyway. But, who cares about me? You...have you been okay? They haven't done anything bad to you?"
Genuine concern. Dirandau was nearly overtaken by happiness.

Dirandau: "They're an awful bunch of prigs...that idiot still thinks I'm his sister..."
Aragon seemed to suddenly remember something.
Aragon: "Oh, yes....I forgot about Serena. Has she been bothering you? I mean, talking to you and all...trying to hurt you?"
He nodded. He'd almost forgotten about her for a moment. She had shut up, and seemed to be listening. Now the way Aragon talked alerted her.
::"Him...he's one of...them.....get away!!! Leave him...Where's Allen? Am I alone now??? Allen!!!"::
He almost fainted. She's never attacked him this hard. He shut his eyes.
Aragon: "We'll see what we can do for you. I had some...friends...they worked with her.."
She was screaming now. Inarticulate screaming.
Aragon: "We'll make things alright again."
His eyes flashed open. He forced himself to stand strong. This was why she was afraid.....she knew she was in danger with this Aragon. She was terrified of being destroyed, and this was the man who could destroy her.
Now that he finally had some help, he wouldn't allow anything to stop him.


Eries and Allen had abated their fight somewhat. They were both mature human beings. They knew that fighting wouldn't help anything. Even though they wanted to tear each other apart.
Eries: "Allen, I'm simply trying to help."
Allen: "You're not helping, you're not even trying. You don't have to do this, you know. You could've just left us alone. No one will find out-"
Eries: "But that isn't true. Someone has found out. You've heard of that illness, haven't you?"
Allen: "Of course. Everyone has. What does this have to do with us?"
Eries: "Whenever anyone suspects someone of catching this illness, they must be turned in, to be taken care of by our International Doctors."
Allen: "I've heard this a million times before....get to the point."
Eries: "Well, the King of Fanelia was turned in by that cat girl of his....It seems he'd been acting strangely in the marketplace. When the doctors asked him what happened that made her think he was ill, he started talking about something he'd seen. He didn't know if it was a vision, or something brought on by fever, or possibly bad memories....but he had seen, clearly, Dirandau Albatou."
Allen went pale.
Allen: "You can't prove this. You can't prove he was in the marketplace....you can't prove it..."
Eries: "You're right. I can't. Which is why I'm not going to try to."
Allen: "Then, you can't do anything. Just let us go, and stop wasting our time."
Eries: "Allen, you know perfectly well that I can't take any chances. If someone else should see him....they'll demand to know how it is that he's still here...and how can I tell them that one of our Caeli Knights is taking care of him?"
Allen: "Just tell them about the circumstances...about my sister.."
Eries: "So, you do still care about her? This is why? Because you're holding out for her?"
Allen: "No...that's not what I meant. But, if the people need an excuse...."
Eries: "You would disrespect her so? Use her as a way to help that freak? No...I won't have it. The only excuse we will use is that he is now loyal to Asturia. And there will be no better proof of that than what I have suggested."
Allen: "I will agree to nothing like this, unless he is willing."
Eries: "All we need is for him to turn in one person...surely there must be someone he didn't like in Zaibach? Someone he wouldn't mind..."
Allen: "Betraying?"
Eries: "It's not betrayal, it's just....helping out politically."
Allen: "He won't do it."
He walked over to Dirandau.

Allen: "Come, Dirandau....we'll go home now."
Serena sounded hopeful at this.
::"Brother!!!!! Save me....."::
Dirandau: "It's not my home! I'm not going back there..."
Allen: "Dirandau, please...just come with me.."
Eries: "He doesn't want to go with you, Allen. Maybe we'll just put him on the waiting list of prisoners who are to be dealt with."
Allen: "He doesn't want that."
Dirandau: "Don't speak for me! I'm already imprisoned at your house...I may as well stay here, and be imprisoned with my comrades. At least then I won't be alone."
Eries: "There, you see? You're alone in your fight...just give up. You're not helping anyone."
Allen looked from person to person. Could it really be that he wasn't doing anyone any good?
He sighed.
::"No different than normal, I guess."::
Eries: "Come on. Have a glass of wine...we'll sign some papers, and this whole mess will be behind us."
She led him to her office. He looked over his shoulder at Dirandau, who was being led towards the prison cells by Aragon. Aragon winked at him.
::"There's something unsettling about all this..."::
He knew better than to trust Eries, but what could he do? There was no reason for him to continue fighting...like she said, his help wasn't needed. And Dirandau really did seem happy to go.


Serena had ceased to scream, and was now quietly whimpering. Dirandau laughed.
::"Finally agreeing to defeat....thanks, Serena..."::
He was led into a cell with other tall men in purple cloaks. They asked him plenty of questions, about his memories, and what's been going on with him lately.
They looked at him with the same admiration in their eyes as was in Aragon's. Some of them began a side conversation.
"Pity he has to be destroyed...."
"At least we got a chance to see the work of our masters in action."
The others nodded in agreement.


Allen stared into his glass of wine. He had no intention of drinking it. Something wasn't right. Or was it just his imagination?
Eries: "I must say, I'm happy that this fight between the two of us is over now."
Allen: "I'm sorry I can't say the same."
Eries: "Don't be so unhappy...your sister wouldn't want to see that look on your face."
Allen: "My sister....if she were to see my face...she would understand....."
Eries: "You don't sound like you believe it."
Allen: "Maybe I don't. Maybe I don't really know what she's like anymore.."
He remembered what Dirandau had said. "You're the one who's obsessed with a dead sister he hardly knew..."
All this time he'd wasted. He had nothing to show for it...
He set the wine down. He didn't care anymore...not about anything. What was left for him now?
Eries: "You'll have a chance to see, though..."
Allen: "What do you mean?"
She was definitely up to something.
Eries: "Oh...I was going to tell you later...but I suppose I can tell you now..."


Aragon: "You look feverish, Dirandau. Maybe you should go lie down."
Dirandau nodded in agreement. He could use a good nap.
Aragon: "You can lie down in this room...come on.."
He led Dirandau into the next room. The others waited for a moment, then followed.


Eries: "I told you that we have plenty of prisoners...there were many who managed to survive on Zaibach's side. Some of them were sorcerers."
Allen: "Sorcerers???"
Eries: "They've been our most helpful prisoners. In fact, they are so helpful, that we can trust them outside of locked cells. They were more than happy to defect over to our side. They don't care about much, as long as they can practice their science."
Allen stood, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Allen: "That man Dirandau was talking with..."
Eries: "A very nice young sorcerer, if I do say so myself."
Allen: "But...why wouldn't....Dirandau wasn't even afraid of them..."
Eries: "Naturally. Why should he be? He didn't even know who they were...as I understand it, everyone had to keep from saying anything about them in his presence. Anyone who underwent their experiments were given amnesia. As far as he's concerned, Aragon is just a comrade...someone to talk to."
Allen: "But....."
Eries: "This is what I wrote to you about....all these troubles will be gone now. You'll have your sister back. Just accept it, and be happy."
Allen didn't even bother to say another word. He ran as fast as he could.


Dirandau was confused by what he saw in that room....a slab with straps on it....
Dirandau: "Wha...what??"
Aragon: "Don't be alarmed. Just come without a fight...this won't take long.."
Dirandau: "What's going on?"
Aragon: "These Asturians don't appreciate our work....we've got to 'take care' of you. Just think of it this way: At least you won't have to listen to Serena anymore."
Some of the others snickered. Dirandau tried to bolt out of there. Aragon grabbed him by the arm. His fingernails left a big gash. Dirandau screamed.
Aragon sighed.
Aragon: "They said you always put up a fight...."


In rushed Allen. He pushed all the others aside, until he reached Dirandau.
Allen: "Keep away from him..."
He drew his sword.
Allen: "I mean it."

Eries came in, with several of her guards.
Eries: "You disappoint me, Allen."
Allen: "Yes, I seem to have a habit of doing that."
Aragon tried to get at Dirandau, but Allen took a slice at him. Aragon's hand fell to the ground, now severed from his arm.
Eries: "Allen! Do not continue this...you'll be branded a traitor-"
Allen: "I knew you'd say that. I don't care.."

Eries: "Premeditated action, willfully going against your country.....I can't stand for this! Congratulations. You are now a traitor."
"I don't think so."
Everyone looked to the back of the room. Dryden had been listening to the commotion, and came to see what he could do.
Dryden: "Before you can brand him a traitor, you'd have to talk about the situation...and you would have to admit that you are more of a traitor than any of us."
Eries: "What? How dare you accuse me-"
Dryden: "Tsk, tsk...denying someone a chance to defend themselves...premeditated murder..abuse of power.....and a list of other crimes big enough to paper the walls of this palace with. When shall we set the trial for, Eries? Tuesday sounds good....That way, it'd be right after the traditional housewive's baking day, and everyone who came would have some snacks to enjoy while they watched you die.."
Eries: "You can't put me on trial. You can't do anything. You...you wouldn't."
Dryden: "Oh, I don't know...I could....if I were king. Just lop your head off like a dandelion."
He imitated the action of slicing a dandelion's head. Eries looked terrified.
Eries: "But...what about...the people? They...won't stand...for this....they'll want Dirandau to-"
Dryden: "So what? He hasn't done anything. Won't the people be glad to know that even someone with such a terrible reputation is given a fair chance? That no one will be persecuted, even if everyone wants you to go against the law to hurt them?"
Eries: "But..if he's left to run loose-"
Dryden: "He hasn't been running around loose. He's been under the care of one of our finest knights. The people will also be glad to know that our good knights are keeping them safe from any dangers. Just imagine....a former Zaibach soldier has gone through the marketplace, and he didn't even attack anyone...what a good job this Allen Schezar has been doing."
Eries had no more arguments at the moment.
Dryden: "Alright. I guess this party is over....come on, Allen. I want to discuss what's happened with you."

Allen put his sword away. They walked out of the building together.
Allen: "Thank you for your kindness, Dryden, but I think we'll just go home now."
Dryden: "Not a very good idea. She'll come after you. She's persistent."
Allen: "What are you talking about? You just told her...she wouldn't try anything after all that you said."
Dryden: "I wouldn't put it past her. She's a ruthless politician. She won't rest until she's accomplished her goal."
Allen: "I won't let anything happen."
Dryden: "You can't do much, unless you can fight the law. Lucky for you, I know a lot about it."

Dryden opened the door to his carriage, and motioned for the two to step inside.
Allen felt strange accepting help from this man. They still hadn't talked at all about the situation between themselves and Millerna.
The ride was silent. Everyone was thinking. Dryden was busy planning how best to defeat Eries, without having to accept the role of king. Allen was trying to figure out what everyone else was up to.
Dirandau spent most of the time just looking up at Allen.
He'd just saved him. He would've had his sister back....there was no reason why he should have saved Dirandau....unless......
::"Then...he really did mean what he said....that time..."::
He was willing to give up everything he had for Dirandau. No one had ever done anything like that....not even Jajuka.
::"Jajuka....."::
That name filled him with bitterness. He had thought Jajuka really cared about him...until his last moments in the war..
"Turn back into that gentle Serena..."
All along, he'd only been helping Dirandau because he liked Serena...he gave his life for her, his honour, everything...He was her strength, and he'd empowered her enough to give him all this trouble.
If he weren't dead already.....

Allen: "How is that arm feeling?"
Allen took off his cravat, and used it to wipe off the blood from the gash that Aragon had given Dirandau.
Dirandau: "It's..fine.....Allen.."
Allen blinked. There wasn't that usual tone of defiance and hatred in Dirandau's voice. And he didn't say 'Allen' as if it were the worst insult anyone could give someone.
He tied the cravat around Dirandau's arm.
Allen: "We'll have to have someone look at that."
Dirandau nodded.
::"He's conceding to go and see a doctor? There must be something wrong..."::

Allen: "Are you sure yo-"
Dirandau leaned against Allen, and began to cry.
Allen didn't know what to say. He slowly put his arms around Dirandau.
Allen: "It'll be okay."

::"Brother....no...."::
Serena was finally beginning to realize that Allen had given up on her. He wasn't trying to help her anymore....There was nothing left.....
::"Goodbye, Allen..."::

And now there was peace.


{Yay! No more Serena....or is there? ::Evil smirk:: You'll just have to wait and see...

I've decided not to reply to reviews today, maybe I'll do that next chapter.

And, hopefully, my next chapter will be done by tomorrow, since I have another day off with the house to myself.
So, happy trails for now. Au'revoir.}