Um…I forgot to put a disclaimer last time. So here it is. I don't own
Escaflowne (sniff, if only) and I'm not using this story to make money and
so on, so…that's that. Read and Enjoy!
Escaflowne, An Angel Revealed
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Log 27, Freid:
We landed safely in Freid. The King of Fanelia, Merla and Hitomi, and I, along with several men met with the head of the Duchy of Freid, Duke Aravis.
Gaddis paused to dip his quill in the ink bottle. He recalled the meeting, and he sighed…
'Welcome, Van Fanel, King of all Fanelia,' the Duke greeted him. He was a tall, black-haired man with even blacker eyes. Everything about him was dark. He wore a deep blue robe with the crest of Freid upon it. The robe emphasized his stick-like figure. 'You realize this meeting had to be arranged in utmost secrecy, do you not?' Gaddis bowed low. 'Your Excellency. Thank you for allowing us audience.' 'Aravis!' Merla exclaimed, and the two embraced. 'Merla, Merla, my little Princess. How you have grown,' Duke Aravis said warmly, holding his niece at arms length. Hitomi stood in the background quietly, not wishing to intrude. 'Oh, and who's this?' the Duke asked. Van answered for her. 'This is Hitomi, a handmaiden for your niece.' He and Hitomi had discussed it earlier and decided it would be better for her to remain known as simply a handmaiden. Her true identity as an inhabitant of the Mystic Moon was too dangerous to allow anyone else to know. 'Ah,' the Duke said. It was all he said.
'What of my guymelef, Aravis?' Van demanded, forgetting to use the Duke's title. 'Ah. That…well, King Van. I'm afraid I can do nothing for you there,' Aravis said reluctantly. Van's eyes flashed fire. 'What?!' 'You see, the Dark Dragons have begun loading it for transport, and now that their decision is final, I cannot risk asking again, lest they become suspicious.' Van's face was expressionless, but his eyes again betrayed him. They were steely with rage, anger sparkling in their depth.. 'I am sorry, King Van,' Aravis said with false sincerity that all could detect. 'Yes. I…I had hoped…' Van looked at his boots to conceal his hateful expression. 'Still, you'll stay for dinner? My son, Chid, is dying to meet you.'
Now he was in his own chamber, writing the ship's log. They would meet Chid at dinner. Van, Hitomi, and Merla had gone out to the market. Van had stubbornly insisted he should keep his Sword, the very thing that could betray them to the enemy.
Van looked at the various stands, seeing nothing interesting. Hitomi, however, found the stands very fascinating, along with the stand- owners. Van looked across at a bridge and gasped. Dark Dragon soldiers! And… He stiffened with rage. "Folken!" Van rasped, fury overtaking him. His brother glided down the bridge and into a dark alley. Van broke into a sprint, dashing headlong into the alley after his brother. He saw a black cape turn the corner of a brick wall. Van ran on, pulling the Sword from its sheathe. He stood at the top of another bridge, with his brother walking slowly to the base. "Brother!" Van shouted. Folken turned, hatred written in his eyes. "Van, are you prepared to come back with me?" he asked quietly.
***************
Dilandau leapt up into his guymelef Alseides. The huge guymelef stomped down the wide aisle of the storage area. "Please, Lord Dilandau, Lord Folken told you not to leave the fortress. Please stop, Lord Folken will be most angry!" Hector ran alongside the guymelef in the 'melef storage area. Dilandau cackled. "Who said anything about leaving the Vione?" he hissed with evil joy. He turned the sighting mechanism on and sighted someone standing on the bridge where Folken was. He zoomed in and smiled in delight. There Van was, standing all alone on the bridge. Perfect. Hector stared in bewilderment. "Lord Dilandau's setting his energist on high to shot on a kremiclaw?" "That's it, my claw, reach in and tear Van to pieces!" Dilandau cried. The steel claw stretched downward toward the bridge with a metallic hiss. It struck a seagull and the bird plummeted, dead.
***************
Hitomi was admiring a jewelry stand when the vision hit her. She saw a flashing steel rod shoot toward the young King, saw his face and it struck him in a flash, killing him. "Oh, no…Van!" she cried. "Merla, where's Van?" she demanded, tapping the former princess on the arm. "He seemed upset about something, took off toward the harbor," Merla said thoughtfully. Hitomi tore down the street, her heartbeats pounding in time with her feet. I've gotta warn Van; I hope I make it in time… she thought, her pulse beating harshly in her ears. Hitomi grabbed a passing man's sleeve. "Excuse me, sir, but where's the harbor?" "It's down that way apiece," he smiled at her anxious face. The girl was probably supposed to meet a boyfriend there and obviously was lost. Hitomi glanced down the way he was pointing. "Thank you," she said, beginning to run again. Van…Oh, I have to hurry, I have to warn him…
Van raised his Sword. "None of that, brother," Folken said, beginning to raise his arm when both brothers heard Hitomi scream, "VAN! LOOK OUT!!" Van looked up, shocked, unable to move, as he saw the claw zooming toward his head, its silvery brightness reflecting in his eyes. He knew the instant it struck he would be reduced to nothing but charred ashes. Then he was lying pinned to the wooden planks by a warm body on top of his. Hitomi. "Hitomi?" he smelled the acrid smell of something that was burning.
**************
"Arrrrgh, that girl!" Dilandau screeched. His screech became a shriek of pain as the guymelef overheated. "Lord Dilandau!" Hector shouted, then jumped aside as one of the 'melef's arms creaked and fell off. Dilandau waded out, steam and smoke clinging to his uniform, burned in a dozen places. "…that girl…" he growled.
**************
"Hitomi?" Van repeated. He feared she had not survived the attack. Hitomi crawled off his back and gave him a worn smile. "I can't—believe I—made it—" she panted. Her hair was in disarray and the Asturian uniform she wore was torn at one seam. Dilandau, how dare you interfere? Folken thought darkly. Van stood, forcing his legs to stop shaking. "I see. So this is how you operate, brother?" he demanded. "This was not of my intent," Folken said frostily. "Is that all you have to say?" Van snarled, clenching his fists. Hitomi stared from one to the other. That's Van's older brother… "Yes, for now. We'll meet again, Van. Next time you won't be so lucky." Folken threw his stealth cloak on and vanished from view. "I'll kill you next time," Van yelled, his voice quivering with rage. "I'll kill you!"
Van turned back to Hitomi and asked wearily, "Are you hurt?" She shook her head, "No, just a little shaky." Van offered his hand and helped her stand. "Duke Aravis awaits us back at the castle," he said. Hitomi's knees were weak and they threatened to give way, so Van supported her. "Thank you, Hitomi," he murmured. The two walked slowly back to the market- place where Merla stood waiting. The moment she saw them she ran to them, tears in her eyes.
"Aravis's put Gaddis in prison!" she sobbed. Van's eyes went wide with anger and shock. "What?!" "I don't know what his reasons were, he's not speaking to me! He wanted to see you both. Oh, Van, Hitomi, be careful, reason with him, get Gaddis out!" Merla clasped her hands dramatically. "Something tells me there's more to this than we thought at first," Van said. "Where are the three men we had with us?" "Evanl and Kio got arrested, too!" Merla wept. "Lance—I don't know!" "Hitomi, you stay here." "No, Van," Hitomi said. "Let me come, please!" Van stared at her, then relented. "Okay, let's go. Merla, find Lance. Wait for us here, and if we don't return try to see your Aravis."
"Sir, you cannot pass," both guards said in unison. Van's eyes blazed. He pushed them aside, dragging Hitomi with him into the castle courtyard. Van shoved several guards away, all of which made almost no effort to stop him. "What. Is. The. Meaning. Of. This. Tell me!" Van growled into Duke Aravis's face. He slammed his fist onto the Duke's desk. The duke looked positively terrified, but his expression cleared into one of smug satisfaction as guards surrounded Van and Hitomi. Van was ready to kill, but one soldier grabbed Hitomi and threatened to run her through if Van didn't sheathe his weapon. "I'm sorry," Hitomi whispered. Van shot a look that would have killed, if possible, at the Duke and slowly put the Sword back into its sheathe. "Good, good, my fellow king. Once you're safely behind bars, I'll explain." But he never did.
Gaddis paced back and forth within his prison cell. He had been asked to see the Duke, then, instead, taken to a cell and thrown rudely in. "Gaddis!" The relief in Hitomi's voice was palatable. Gaddis turned, surprise written on his face. "Hitomi? Gods, not you, too. And Van…well, we're stuck, aren't we?" "Shut up, you," a guard said prodding him with a spear. Van struggled with his captors, baring his teeth, throwing punches. He bit and scratched until he broke free and, dropping back, yanked the Sword from the sheathe. It glowed, as if sensing a battle. "Okay, how 'bout releasing us!" he yelled, dropping into a fighter's stance. The guards took the threat seriously and immediately surrounded the King. "Van!" Hitomi cried, "Van, don't be foolish! Van!" Gaddis stared out from behind the bars. "There's nothing we can do," he said bitterly. Hitomi's pleas fell on deaf ears. However bold or fierce the young King was, the guards pressed themselves upon him until he felt himself smothering between the chain mail, unable to breathe or fight because the Sword was pinned to his side. Two guards held the King while the other flogged him with a whip.
"Stop it!" Hitomi screamed, gripping the bars. "Please, stop it!"
Once they had subdued Van, the guards threw him forcefully into the cell beside Gaddis and Hitomi. Van, bruised and battered, wiped a thin trail of blood from his mouth. "You'll pay for that," he whispered grimly. "Oh, Van…did they…?" Hitomi knelt beside him. She straightened his shirt as best as she could. "I'm fine, save your breath," Van said coldly, sitting up, ignoring the burning pain the whip had inflicted. Hitomi fell back into a sitting position. She reached into the breast-pocket of the Asturian shirt and pulled the deck of tarot cards out. Hitomi arranged them in silence. She drew one card. "Hermit again," she said. "We'll get our answer if we wait." Hitomi shuffled the cards and put them in a diamond. With trembling fingers she reached out to pull the last card. La Morte, read the card. Death. Again. Hitomi convinced herself it was just a coincedance and quickly put the deck back into the blouse-pocket. "It read death again, didn't it?" Van said softly. Hitomi didn't meet his eyes as she lied. "N-no. I screwed up on my arranging." Van sensed she wasn't telling the truth, but decided not to ask further.
Night fell on the Duchy of Freid. Gaddis had dozed off, and Hitomi lay curled up in a ball on the cold stone floor. Van looked at her still, shivering form and took his shirt off to cover her with. She relaxed as the shirt, still warm from his body, warmed hers. Van sighed and stared out a window. They were situated in a high tower, and the moon seemed closer than before. At this rate the we'll never we able to catch the Escaflowne in time…he thought wistfully. Began loading it…it'll be gone by tomorrow…
"Aravis!" Merla grabbed her Aravis's shoulders. She was much taller than him, and she shook him easily. "Aravis, why did you throw my friends in the dungeon!?" her voice quivered, and she was on the verge of tears. Merla realized it in a jolt. "The Dark Dragons are launching an attack on Asturia, aren't they?! Tell me!" "This isn't open to discussion, Merla," Aravis replied, kindly but firmly. "You threw Gaddis in the dungeon because you knew he'd go to help his homeland! My father is King of Asturia—I'm a Princess of Asturia! Throw Gaddis in the dungeon and I can't go back to help. Why is helping so wrong, Aravis?" Merla pleaded. Aravis looked down. "Because the Dark Dragons are destined to win, and for now, I'm keeping you all from harm. Stay here, Merla, dearest. Chid can see you now." Merla squared her shoulders and marched from the room, the last words she said imprinting themselves on the Duke's memory. "Liar! I hate you!"
Hitomi woke slowly. She saw Van sitting half-naked by the window- ledge and realized what he'd done. "Van!" she scolded, taking his shirt and walking to him. "You'll get sick, sitting out there without any shirt—" Van accepted his shirt from her and tossed it on. "I'm fine, Hitomi," he said, beginning to pace around the interior of the cell. "So you two are finally awake, huh?" Gaddis yawned. "Yes, and now we need to figure out a way to escape. I've ruled out jumping from the window," Van said, with the slightest chuckle. "And I've—Merla?" Gaddis was flabbergasted.
All three prisoners saw the former princess trip over the last step up the stairs and strike her head. The guard stepped near her, unsure of what to do. "Milady, are you—unngh!" "Gotcha," said Lance, tapping the prone form of the guard with his sword-tip. Merla stood up, fumbling with the keys. She turned one in the lock and was rewarded with the door sliding open. "That was cleverly done," Gaddis said fondly. Van nodded. "The Scherazade's waiting, we don't have much time," Merla said breathlessly. "The Dark Dragons are loading the Escaflowne onto a fortress as we speak. If we hurry, we might be able to catch them and reclaim the God of War." Van remembered Sora's warning, and shuddered. "Van, what's wrong? You look so sad all of a sudden," Hitomi said. Van hadn't realized his anxiety had shown on his face and he shrugged his shoulders, putting on a cavalier attitude. "Huh? No, nothing's wrong."
The fivesome hurried through the streets. It was early morning and some merchants were beginning to set their stands up. Kio and Evanl, freed in the same manner as they had been, stood waiting at the airship. "C'mon, Boss, we're off!" Celiquo yelled from the engine room. The party clambered on the ship. "Damn," everyone heard Van exclaim. "Look, Aravis's soldiers!" True enough, a rather large group of Freid soldiers were galloping atop horses at top speed towards their airship. Gaddis restrained the young King from charging towards the group. "Hold, Van. They've got horses. Kio, Lance, Evanl, Gruven! Set sail!" "Aye aye, sir!"
The airship rose into the air before the baffled soldiers' eyes. Hitomi shrieked as the airship yawed to the left. She grabbed hold of something to keep herself from falling. The something turned out to be Van's hand. Van glanced down at her scared face and smiled ever so slightly. "What are we doing?" Hitomi yelled over the noise of the engine. Van shrugged. Gaddis stood on deck, peering through an eyeglass. "Floating fortress spotted!" Evanl shouted. "Okay! Follow them!" Gaddis ordered.
The sun broke across a strange scene. A massive floating fortress hovering above the clouds was pursued by a small flying skiff. The fortress did not know it was being pursued. "Listen, boys," Gaddis said. "We're gonna board 'em, launch a diversion attack, pretend we want to shut the thing down, and Van, you get to the Escaflowne and bring it out." "We're gonna make them pay f' what they did t' Fanelia!" Allen muttered, licking the tip of his dagger. "I'll toast t' that!" Kio grinned. The airship gained on the fortress. The fortress docked in a vale. "But that's—that's where the wandering earth collects," said Gaddis. "What's wandering earth?" Hitomi asked, baffled. Van answered. "Wandering earth—levistones. They supply levitation for floating fortresses and our airships. That's a perfect place for a fortress to hide." Gaddis sprang into action. "Heat the levistones! Cut our levitation to the brink!" The crew obeyed. "Furl the sails!" Gaddis roared, "And dive!"
*******************
Dilandau stood in front of the guymelef Escaflowne. Folken had let him off with a light punishment—a bloody nose and swollen jaw. So you are the Escaflowne, the guymelef Van wants, Dilandau thought. Espano style, if I'm not mistaken…hmm… "Interesting, isn't it?" Folken's voice said from behind him. Dilandau whirled. "Well, it certainly is impressive," he admitted grudgingly. "Yes, well. Keep in mind, Dilandau, that only Kings of Fanelia can operate these." Folken strode purposefully up the platform to where the Escaflowne sat. It was a massive machine, ivory white with a long, deep blue cape. Fanelia's symbol was imprinted in gold upon the cloak. Van's energist had been placed inside already. It was a ruby- colored stone. The Escaflowne had been finished with two huge emeralds set in each shoulder joint. It truly was magnificent. Folken sighed, almost wistful, as he thought of how it would have become his had he not failed to slay the dragon. He placed his hand against the breast-plate of the armor. The energist glowed briefly, then the hatch opened. "My brother is bonded to this Escaflowne—if it were to suffer enough damage, Van would die." "Why not just destroy the machine, then?" Dilandau demanded. "Your brother would be doomed, wouldn't he?"
"You can't just destroy an Espano guymelef!" Folken hissed. "Fool, Dilandau, these were not made to be destroyed!" Dilandau bowed his head, "Forgive me, Folken-sama." Folken touched the energist again and the hatch closed. "You see, Dilandau—" A massive crash rocked the fortress. "What—" "We're under attack! We're under attack!" Dilandau sprang into action. "All units prepare for combat!" he bellowed into an amplifier.
***************
Van felt a niggling sensation in the back of his head and knew at once what it was. "Folken!" he growled. "He's looking at the Escaflowne!" The airship struck the side of the fortress and began to slide down. "Anchor!" Gaddis yelled. The moment the airship had steadied itself, Allen cried, "Levitation restored, sir!" "Good. Cut the tether, and get ready. The airship attached itself to the hangar of the floating fortress. "Okay, let's board them!" Gaddis shouted. Van touched Hitomi's shoulder lightly. "Stay here, you two," he said to her. Merla stood with her. "Be careful, Van," Hitomi said. The King yanked the Sword from the sheathe. "Escaflowne, here I come!" he yelled.
With wild roars the nine charged into the hangar area.
Hitomi leaned against the engine room wall. "You think they'll be okay, Merla?" "Gaddis knows what he's doing," Merla replied, fiddling with her hair. "You don't sound too sure," Hitomi said. "Eight against a hundred—would you feel safe?" "Well, no," Hitomi admitted. "But I think something…someone…is protecting them."
Gaddis winked at Van. "'Melef storage area is down there," he called. Van nodded. "I'll take care of things here! C'mon, guys! Yah!" Van held his Sword in front of him as he drew towards the storage area—then he stopped. There was smoke, oily, thick smoke, rolling from the place. "But—how?" Dilandau had attempted to open the Escaflowne's hatch. He had screamed when the Escaflowne reacted negatively to his hand, flinging him across the storage area. Smoke poured from the explosion.
Dilandau saw the young King running toward the Escaflowne. "Hey you!" Van shouted, "Draw!" Dilandau smiled. He drew his sword without a moment's hesitation. "Dilandau," Folken said. Dilandau looked up and was instantly lifted into the air. "No, Folken-sama! Please, I was only…" Dilandau's voice was abruptly cut off as Folken used his powers to toss the young soldier into a wall. Dilandau collapsed. "Brother!" Van yelled. "Hello, Van-sama. Are you prepared to die today, brother?" Folken's voice was oddly calm. "Are you?" Van shouted the challenge. "We'll see, we'll see." Folken raised his arm. "I would have killed you at the bridge, but now I'll have some fun."
Van was enveloped in blue light. "What's this?" he gasped in amazement. "A simple trick, brother, really. You would call it—magic." Folken smirked, then made a swift motion with his left hand. Van slammed into a wall, then slid down beside the unconscious Dilandau. Folken lifted him again, and this time Van's body made contact with the Escaflowne. He fell to the foot of the guymelef, panting for breath. "But I tire of such silly games," Folken said. "Now it is time for you to die." Van closed his eyes, knowing it was the end. Folken's palms glowed with blue, brighter and brighter as he created the energy ball that would wipe a certain Van Fanel off the face of Gaea.
Hitomi screamed as the vision struck her. "Van! No!" "What's wrong?" Merla asked her. "Van's in danger, his brother…Oh god…I've got to warn him!" "Van? His brother?" "Where's the guymelef place?" Hitomi demanded, grabbing a stray sword from the ground and strapping it to her sash. "I don't know—near the hangar, perhaps—what are you doing…? Hitomi?" Hitomi charged ahead heedless of Merla. "Hitomi, you don't even know how to work a sword! How the hell do you expect to survive?!" Merla was so upset she cursed. "I'll be fine, don't worry!" Hitomi called, running down the platforms into the hangar.
The sounds of combat were all around her. Gaddis caught sight her and his eyes widened, but he was too occupied fighting to call out after her. Hitomi ran on. Van…Folken…death… She spotted a high-ceiling room, with several huge giant machines. Those must be the guymelefs Van talks about… She gasped when she saw the scene. The albino, Dilandau, lay unconscious in a corner. Folken stood atop a platform beside a guymelef, his younger brother in a heap on the cold ground. Folken's fists were glowing. Oh no…VAN!!
Folken prepared himself to release the blow. "And now, Van-sama is no more!" he crowed gleefully. "VAN!!" Hitomi screamed, sprinting across the steel floor. Van raised his head a little. Hitomi… "You are too late," Folken said. He clasped his hands together and the beam erupted. "NO!" Hitomi yelled, and threw herself across the King. The pair was hurled into the wall, the force of the blast causing them to crash right through. Van knew no human being could have survived an attack like that. Yet… Hitomi's face, bruised and concerned, came into view. "Van," she whispered. "Van, can you hear me? Van!" "I'm okay," Van croaked. Hitomi sat up. "I don't think we're still alive," she said. "I do," said Van. Folken stared at the two, angry astonishment written across his features. She is the Goddess of Wings…
Suddenly there was an almighty rumble. "The fortress is breaking!" Hitomi cried, fearful. Van raised himself painfully, marveling. Nothing was broken. "Come on. I still need to get the Escaflowne!" Van tottered for a moment, then broke into a more steady run. He placed his hand against the energist. The hatch opened obediently. Van leapt in and picked Hitomi up gently with the mammoth fist. "Gaddis!" he yelled. "The fortress! Evacuate!" Gaddis signaled to his men and they dropped back, retreating to the airship. Van deposited Hitomi on the hangar of the fortress, then leapt into space with the Escaflowne. "Van!" Hitomi, Merla, and the crew exclaimed. The guymelef morphed. It switched with the loudness of machinery. Into a Dragon! The beast flew levelly with the airship.
There was a creak and a huge shudder as the fortress collapsed. Four escape guymelefs flew from the fortress. Folken! Van gnashed his teeth. The Scherazade took off, leaving Hitomi standing in the hangar, which then broke and fell into space. Hitomi yelled as she plummeted down, headfirst. She screamed, covering her head, waiting to hit the bottom and smash. "Hitomi! NO!" Van shouted, throwing his shirt off and leaping off the back of the Dragon guymelef. Hitomi fell backwards, her hands covering her head. There was a crack as Van inhaled sharply and two white wings burst from his back. Hitomi stared… He beat them once, hurtling toward her. Van held his hand out…
Hitomi reached upward. Their hands met and held. "You're…you're an angel!" Hitomi gasped. "No," Van said softly. "Hold on tight, it's about to get rough." The winged King flew close to the cliff edge of the valley. Then, without a sound, Van Fanel buckled and fell across her. "Van! Van!" Hitomi rolled him over. "Van, please! Don't leave me! Van?" She began to cry bitterly, hugging his limp body. Hitomi froze. Someone was watching her. "Let him die, child," Hector, the dog-man, said. "No! Van won't die; I won't let him. He can't die." "Let him be free of all the sorrows of this world, give him the death he has longed for." "Never!" Hitomi shrieked, curling defensively over the King. "Van…Van!" "I've sent for some of our animal-clans," Hector said gently. "Their healers are out searching for you." Hitomi looked up, her face tearstained. "Th-thank you…" "Don't thank me. You never thank the enemy." Hector vanished as he pulled his stealth cloak on.
Hitomi's sobs quieted and became less hysterical. "Don't worry, Van," she said to the unconscious King, "help is on the way."
*******************
The gates of death seemed colder than before. Van had been here before and had met his father. He could faintly hear voices, but they were far, far away and so quiet… Van…Van!… I've sent for some of our animal- clans…their healers are out searching for you… Th-thank you… Don't thank me…you never thank the enemy… Then a familiar voice… Don't worry, Van…help is on the way… "Hitomi!" Van realized, smiling. His smile faded. How was he going to get back to her?
*******************
"Where's Hitomi and Van?" Gaddis asked. Merla clapped her hands to her mouth. "Oh, gods!! Van, Hitomi, and the Escaflowne are still…" "What?! You mean we left them there?" Merla nodded, her eyes clouding over with tears. "They…" "Hmm…we'll stop at the nearest village. Knowing Van, he'll bring Hitomi their as soon as he can." "But Palas is the only village—an animal village!" Allen protested. "Have you got a problem about animal-men?" Gaddis snapped. "N-no, sir," Allen looked at his feet. "Then get to it!"
The small airship changed course for Palas, the animal-village.
*******************
Eriya was in mourning. Naria had not survived the blast. Folken paced behind her. "Eriya…" his voice was tender. "Leave me alone…oh…Folken-sama…" she said. "Naria was a wonderful cat-woman, just like you. Please try to be happy—for your own sake—and for mine." Eriya blushed. "I'll try…Folken-sama…" She lifted a silver hand to wipe a tear away. "You miss her much, then?" "Yes…Naria…was like my best friend…not only a sister…guiding—we…" Eriya broke into a fresh storm of tears. Folken felt extremely guilty, knowing it was his energy blast that had triggered the eruption that destroyed the fortress and killed Naria. He hugged the sobbing cat-woman close to him, and let her cry. "Shh…Eriya, it will be all right, shh…"
Dilandau lay on his own bed—own arm broken but fast healing. "Hector, did Van survive that?" Hector bowed low. "I—I am not sure, Lord Dilandau." "Good. I hope the pest is dead."
******************
Hitomi didn't know what time at night it was, but she felt furry hands carefully lifting Van from her arms and placing her in a cart. The Escaflowne was also being moved, judging by the many grunts of those pushing the mecha. She vaguely remembered the bumping motion of the cart moving before she slipped asleep.
When she woke the sun was shining brightly through an earthen window. "W-where…?" "Ah…Yore awake. You had me worried—slept for an 'ole day, that you did." Hitomi looked up and saw a kindly dog-woman staring down at her. "Oh…Van! Where is he? You know, a young man—this tall, black messy hair…gray eyes, wings?" "Ah…him. Well…" "He's still alive, right? Van? Where is he?" "There," the dog-woman pointed. "Will he be okay?" Hitomi asked. "Yes. He must rest, regain his strength." Hitomi looked over at the sleeping King and smiled. "Van…"
It was on the seventh day that Van finally opened his eyes. To find a green-eyed angel staring down at him. "H-Hitomi?" he coughed, his own voice sounding harsh and unused. "Oh, Van," she said fondly, smoothing his hair out of his face. "I'm so glad! You're finally awake. It's been seven days, you know." "It has? Seven days…" Van sat up, but Hitomi pushed him back down again. "Not yet—you can't get up yet. Khadijah says you need another few days before you'll be okay." "Khadijah?" Van twisted the word around his tongue with great difficulty. Hitomi smiled at his effort to say the word. "Yes, she's the healer who looked after you." "But…"
"A dog-woman. Hector helped them find us." "Who's Hector?" Van said suspiciously. It could be anyone, but he wouldn't be able to bear it if Hitomi had been seeing someone. Gods, how it would hurt him. Hitomi laughed, knowing what was going through the King's mind. "Not my boy- friend," she grinned. Her grin faded. "Hector is…Dilandau's minion. He works…for…the Dark Dragons." She watched his face, waiting for a reaction. There was none. Van looked down. "He helped us?" "Yes. Hector used to live here, but he was captured and taken into slavery. He asked the old village to help him out and heal you." Van was quiet for a long time. "I'm a half-Draconian, one of the Winged people," Van said finally, "Mother warned me not to show my wings until the right time came along." "About you're wings," Hitomi said, blushing. "Huh?" said Van. "Don't worry, Van, I think they're beautiful." Hitomi touched her lips to his cheek, blushed, and scampered away before he could say anything. Van lay there for a long time, one hand to the cheek she had kissed.
Hitomi sat on a small grassy hill, thinking. She missed her family on earth, that was true. But then…Van…she didn't want to leave him. Poor Van was a boy King and his nation was gone. It would take many years to rebuild, if he survived the war. "Hello," a lithe young cat-woman sat down beside her. "I'm Ariel—who're you?" "Hitomi," Hitomi said. The girl had long pink hair, tied in a braid by a rawhide string. Her blue eyes were untrusting. "Hitomi? What kind of name is that?" Ariel asked, fiddling with her hair. "Are you a girl, even? Your hair is so short! And boy's clothes?! How strange!" Hitomi was insulted, but her quick mind thought up a comeback. "Excuse me, but you seem hardly in the position to call any one else strange," Hitomi said snidely. "Well, that's just fine with me!" Ariel cried, and walked away.
"Same here, you can be sure," Hitomi muttered. "Oh, Mom, Yukari…Amano…I miss you all…" She smiled briefly. The day a strange white- haired woman had summoned her to Gaea, the school track team captain had asked her best friend Yukari out. Hitomi had joined the track team because of Amano—such a cute, gallant young man—but her crush on him had faded over that last two years of high school. She saw now that bright, red-haired Yukari would make Amano happier than some scholarly girl. They'd have some fun together, she was sure. She wondered how her mother—single since the divorce—was reacting to her disappearance. She probably hadn't noticed yet.
"Hitomi?" Van said. Hitomi turned. "Van, you aren't supposed to be out of bed just yet!" she cried. "I know," Van said softly, standing beside her. "I…had to…ah…get some fresh air! Yeah, that's it." "Sure," Hitomi said, rolling her eyes. "Er…Hitomi…I don't know much about you. You never really said anything." Hitomi knew what he was hinting at. "I'm a high school student in Tokyo, Japan—on earth, your Mystic Moon. Kanzaki Hitomi, on the track team. My mother is divorced and still single…she doesn't care all that much about me. I'd disappear every now and then…come back all confused about myself. 'Dreamer,' they called me…" "I can see why," Van added, with a small smile. Hitomi punched his arm playfully. "Shut up." But I can see why… Van thought, Her eyes always have that faraway look…dreamy…beautiful…huh?
Beautiful? Fanel, you got kissed once on the cheek and now your stupid head is malfunctioning. Idiot!
"Van?" Hitomi touched his shoulder. "You looked like you zoned out, just then. Are you feeling okay? Fever, dizziness? Maybe you should go and lie down or—" "I'll be fine, Hitomi." Van suddenly found himself looking down at her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. "That's good, soon we'll be able to find the Abaharaki again," she said, her voice muffled. "LORD VAN!!" Ariel screamed, pounding up the hill. Van turned. "Ariel?" he said, complete disbelief in his voice. "It's me! It's me! Oh, Lord Van! How long it's been! I heard from Ruku, but I thought it was a rumor! Oh, Lord Van!" she shoved Hitomi aside and hugged him fiercely.
Hitomi watched the two hugging, and she walked away. Of course…they know each other…sweethearts, perhaps…how stupid of me to think that Van would actually want me as his… Tears sprung to her eyes and she broke into a run, back to Khadijah's house.
"Hitomi, wait!" Van called, but the girl didn't hear him. "You're hanging out with her?" said Ariel. "Yes," Van said shortly. His patience with the pink-haired cat girl was beginning to run out. "Gods, Lord Van, but she's just a commoner…" Ariel began. "No. She's the Tsbasi no Kami, the Goddess of Wings, the weapon that we will use to defeat the Dark Dragons," Van said angrily. "Really," Ariel frowned at him. "Besides, Ariel, wouldn't the average Lord consider you less than a commoner?" Van added reproachfully. "Yes…but…I…" Ariel fretted, twisting her tail around her hands. "Ariel, I have to go now," Van turned on his heel and strode away, furious.
Hitomi wiped her eyes dry in the small mud-hut. I'm being silly, she thought, crying over something so trivial. But it's not trivial! "Hitomi," Van said softly, standing in the doorway, "it's not what you think. Ariel and I met when we were very young—not over five years, I think. We're just friends—like a brother and sister, almost. When I grew older I drifted away from her…and I really haven't thought of her since. We're just friends," he repeated. "She just hasn't seen me in so long…her obvious reaction was to…" "I see," Hitomi said blankly. "I know you're upset…It…it's not what you think," he said again. Gods, did I say the right thing?
"No, I should be sorry," Hitomi said after a pause. "I acted like a jealous old hag…oh, Van!" She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face on his shoulder. Van nearly smiled. To think Hitomi would compare herself to an old hag—he wanted to laugh. "I want to go home," she sobbed, "but I don't want to leave you…you all, I mean…And I…" "Shh…stop, it'll be okay, don't worry, we'll find a way to get you back, I promise," Van said, stroking her hair awkwardly. "I'm sorry," Hitomi wept, sniffling a little, "I've gone and soaked your shirt and I bet I sound terrible…" Van bit his lip to conceal a smile. It was rather comical. "You sound worse than Ariel trying to swim," Van grinned. Hitomi's eyes, sad and green, looked up at him. A small smile was beginning to appear on her face. "Worse than a person who's being squashed by a guymelef," Van continued, encouraged. Hitomi began to giggle. "Worse than…ah…er…" "Worse than Merla blubbering," Hitomi finished, beginning to laugh. "Oh, Van. You're just something else, you know that? Something else." She squeezed his hand.
So are you, Hitomi. So are you.
***************
Dilandau's arm was now working properly. He was of Dragon Blood—like his ancestors, he healed quickly. Dilandau had not forgotten the King of Fanelia. Like those of Dragon Blood he was quick to remember and even quicker to anger. There was an insane glint in those red eyes. He would kill Van. Of that he was sure. Now that girl…the one who kept thwarting his plans…he'd have a long talk with her. A very long talk. Dilandau laughed. He'd wait. He'd wait. Oh, revenge would be so sweet. Dilandau stared at a candle. Fire was so intriguing. Red…burning…it took everything in its path… He stroked the scar Van had inflicted. Oh, Van, I'm gonna give you more than just a scar! Just you wait and see! He threw back his head and his crazy laughter filled his room.
***************
"Elder!" a red-furred dog-boy cried, urging his horse onward. "Elder, I've just received word from Palas. The Abaharaki are waiting there, in the Tavern of the Blue Boar!" "Very good, Ruku," the Elder replied. She was an ancient cat-woman, born countless seasons ago. Her fur was dull with age and her face wrinkled, but her eyes and voice glowed with the sound of youth. "Tell the young Lord and his lady friend. If they need an escort, we are always willing to help." "Yes, Elder," Ruku said, bowing his head respectively. His horse began a leisurely trot to Khadijah's hut.
***************
Merla and Gaddis sat atop the roof of the Blue Boar Tavern, sharing a drink. The roof was a faded, worn, chipped blue. Merla ran her hand along the tiles, feeling the many ruts and bumps the weather had inflicted. "When I was young I came here once," she said, almost sadly, "The roof was newly painted. It's been such a long time; I can't believe this is the same place." "Times have changed," Gaddis said. "Twelve years ago, if you asked a villager what a Dark Dragon was they'd not know. Now those words—that name—are the very terror of the town." "Twelve years ago all would have said the next King of Fanelia would be solid-headed Folken of Fanelia. Father had considered marrying me to him. Now if you ask, the villagers will offer their condolences, or ask where Fanelia is. You're right, times have changed. I just hope Van and Hitomi are all right."
***************
Van Fanel was just fine. At that moment in time, he was also laughing. "Come back here, you thief!" Hitomi cried, giggling helplessly. Van had stolen her sash, and she was chasing him around Khadijah's hut, up the hill, down again… Hitomi gained on him. "Ha!" she shouted triumphantly, snatching her sash back. Van grinned. He began to pursue her, both of them practically shrieking with laughter. Hitomi knew he'd never catch up; she was a runner, on the track team. She put on an extra spurt of speed to get away. Hitomi yelled as Van tackled her to the ground, his wings pulling her close to him. "I'd forgotten about these," Hitomi smiled, touching a white feather. "You cheater!" "Me, a cheater? You're going to pay for insulting a King, Hitomi!" Van growled playfully. She struggled up again and ran away from him. "Haha, only if you can catch me!" Van stood, flexed his wings, then leapt into the air. It was only a matter of seconds before Hitomi felt herself being lifted up. "Oh, Van! Put me down, you…er….you King!"
Van grinned and released her. Hitomi shrieked as she fell towards the ground, then sighed as Van swooped down and caught her, just inches from the grassy surface. He dropped her gently on the hill. "Van!" Hitomi pursed her lips in mock anger. "You could have killed me. You could have missed." Van took advantage of her distraction to grab the sash away from her. "Van! Hey, give that back! Hey!" Van tripped over a root and Hitomi, in close pursuit, fell on top of him. The laughing jumble rolled down the hill. They disentangled themselves from each other. "Don't do that again, Van Fanel," Hitomi panted, sobbing with laughter. "I—won't—" Van gasped for air between laughs. "Don't—worry—" Both of them dissolved into almost hysterical fits of giggles. Van twitched painfully as he closed his eyes and willed his wings to retract—still laughing, though.
Ruku watched them from a distance. How he hated to ruin their fun. Both of them, away from the reality of war…death… He knew the young Lord would revert back to his former way the moment they joined up again with the Abaharaki. However, he had promised his Elder, and he would do his job. "Lord Van Fanel?" he said, his voice a squeak. Royalty. He was speaking to Royalty. Van stood. "I am," he said cautiously. This was Ruku, the dog-boy Ariel was smitten with. "I've a message from Palas. The Abaharaki is waiting in the Blue Boar Tavern. Join them immediately." Hitomi clapped her hands. "This is great! We can get back to your friends, Van!" Van's expression was flat and distant. "Yeah…" Ruku bowed. "Your Majesty." He backed away from them, still bowing outrageously, his knees trembling and threatening to give way.
Khadijah applied salve to a cut on Van's arm. He nearly flinched at the sharp pain the salve caused, but caught himself. "Did that hurt, Lord?" Khadijah asked. "No," Van said carelessly, glancing down at his Sword. "Ah…yore certain?" the dog-woman jabbed his side, where the old wound was. Van gasped, dropped the Sword, and clutched his side. "Are you—trying to—kill me?" he choked. "No, no, Lord. Just seeing if it has healed yet, which it obviously hasn't. Were you up immediately after you were wounded?" Van nodded guiltily. "Yes. We were attacked and I…" "But you had been ordered to stay in the room," Khadijah's yellow eyes shone in the candlelight. "How did you…" "These things I know," Khadijah said simply, turning from him to find another bottle of salve. She handed him a clear glass jar with a thick green paste inside. "It is of plesna. Use it in situations grave. I know you are leaving at dawn today. We'll meet again. I have seen it…" with a mysterious smile the dog-woman bid him goodnight. "I shall miss you," she added.
True enough, the next day, when the first rays of the sun could be seen peeking over the mountain peaks, Van Fanel and Hitomi rode away on a fast sorrel mare. "Goodbye, Lord Van!" Ariel screamed, her arm around Ruku's shoulder. "Gods be with you!" Ruku yelled. The animal village cheered. "Goodbye! 'Bye, Ariel! 'Bye, Ruku! Thank you for everything! Goodbye, Khadijah!" Hitomi cried, waving with both arms. Van raised one arm for 'a King's salute,' a move his brother had taught him long ago. "Luck of the Dragons!" Khadijah shouted. Then the King and the girl were lost to sight.
It was a full day and night before Van and Hitomi arrived at the small village Palas. Hitomi was bone-weary and saddle-sick. They had rode non-stop, and even the sorrel was foaming at the mouth. Van slowed her to a walk, and they traveled the deserted streets of the city, searching for the Tavern of the Blue Boar. "Van…" Hitomi murmured, her head on his shoulder. "Hmm?" said Van. "Can't we stop…?" her voice trembled with fatigue. "We're almost there, Hitomi," Van said softly, stroking her hair. "Look, I see it!" she whispered, her exhaustion making her voice soft. Van looked. A faded sign. In gold gilded letters were the words, "Blue Boar Tavern." Van nearly sighed with relief, but as usual, he caught himself. Hitomi's body sagged as she sighed. "Thank god…a bed…sleep…ohhhh…" she yawned.
Van tied the sorrel to a fence post and helped Hitomi dismount. "C'mon, I'll get you a room," he said, steering the sleepy girl through the door.
*****************
interesting development
no doubt something will come of this
the question is what
Folken had slept fitfully. He awoke around midnight, panting and drenched in cold sweat. He did not remember his dream. Folken rose to look through his window. Unlike any ordinary window, this blue-glass showed him whatever event he wished to see—but there was a catch. The mirror was enchanted to only show Draconians, half-Draconians, children of Draconians… "Show me my brother," Folken ordered. He stared at the black- haired youth, remembering when Van had been a chubby little prince, now grown tall and muscular. He stared at the girl Van carried in his arms. Goddess of Wings. She didn't seem like much. Folken stiffened as he saw Van plant a small peck on the girl's forehead. The same thoughts ran through his head as before.
interesting development
no doubt something will come of this
the question is what
****************
Van and Hitomi had rested and were now eating breakfast in the inn. Van was drinking a mug of ale. Hitomi sipped a beaker of greensap milk. "Hey, you," Van waved at the innkeeper, a goat-man wearing a tattered apron. The innkeeper hurried over. "Yes, sir?" "Is there a man here with long yellow hair—about this long? His name is Gaddis Schezar. There should be a woman with him." "Who?" asked the innkeeper, digging into the apron pocket and producing an ear trumpet. "Gaddis Schezar," Van repeated, his patience slipping away. "Is he here?" "Well…I…er…ah…" the innkeeper played with his ear trumpet nervously. Van's good mood deserted him entirely. The goat-man squealed with fright as Van hoisted him into the air by his collar. "Is. The. Abaharaki. Here. Or. Not. Answer!" he snapped, shaking the innkeeper with each word. Hitomi tapped Van's arm. "Van, put him down! You could be hurting him. Besides, I don't think he can answer you if you're doing that." Van considered and, after a pause, lowered the goat-man back onto the floor.
The innkeeper dusted himself off and sighed. "You're just as they said they'd be," he said ruefully, placing the ear trumpet back into his pocket. "Van Fanel the Hothead and a female Soul Tamer. Follow me, I'll take you to them." Before they could move an arrow thudded into the table, a white rose tied to its shaft. Van and Hitomi looked up. Merla winked, holding her bow high above her head. Gaddis twirled a second white rose. "Welcome back," he said, and the Abaharaki cheered, raising their glasses in a toast.
Did you like it? That's Chapter Two. Next up, Chapter Three, An Alliance of Some Sorts.
Should be up in a day. If you're wondering how I can keep posting so fast, it's cuz I already finished, like, five chapters a while ago.
Escaflowne, An Angel Revealed
[pic]
Log 27, Freid:
We landed safely in Freid. The King of Fanelia, Merla and Hitomi, and I, along with several men met with the head of the Duchy of Freid, Duke Aravis.
Gaddis paused to dip his quill in the ink bottle. He recalled the meeting, and he sighed…
'Welcome, Van Fanel, King of all Fanelia,' the Duke greeted him. He was a tall, black-haired man with even blacker eyes. Everything about him was dark. He wore a deep blue robe with the crest of Freid upon it. The robe emphasized his stick-like figure. 'You realize this meeting had to be arranged in utmost secrecy, do you not?' Gaddis bowed low. 'Your Excellency. Thank you for allowing us audience.' 'Aravis!' Merla exclaimed, and the two embraced. 'Merla, Merla, my little Princess. How you have grown,' Duke Aravis said warmly, holding his niece at arms length. Hitomi stood in the background quietly, not wishing to intrude. 'Oh, and who's this?' the Duke asked. Van answered for her. 'This is Hitomi, a handmaiden for your niece.' He and Hitomi had discussed it earlier and decided it would be better for her to remain known as simply a handmaiden. Her true identity as an inhabitant of the Mystic Moon was too dangerous to allow anyone else to know. 'Ah,' the Duke said. It was all he said.
'What of my guymelef, Aravis?' Van demanded, forgetting to use the Duke's title. 'Ah. That…well, King Van. I'm afraid I can do nothing for you there,' Aravis said reluctantly. Van's eyes flashed fire. 'What?!' 'You see, the Dark Dragons have begun loading it for transport, and now that their decision is final, I cannot risk asking again, lest they become suspicious.' Van's face was expressionless, but his eyes again betrayed him. They were steely with rage, anger sparkling in their depth.. 'I am sorry, King Van,' Aravis said with false sincerity that all could detect. 'Yes. I…I had hoped…' Van looked at his boots to conceal his hateful expression. 'Still, you'll stay for dinner? My son, Chid, is dying to meet you.'
Now he was in his own chamber, writing the ship's log. They would meet Chid at dinner. Van, Hitomi, and Merla had gone out to the market. Van had stubbornly insisted he should keep his Sword, the very thing that could betray them to the enemy.
Van looked at the various stands, seeing nothing interesting. Hitomi, however, found the stands very fascinating, along with the stand- owners. Van looked across at a bridge and gasped. Dark Dragon soldiers! And… He stiffened with rage. "Folken!" Van rasped, fury overtaking him. His brother glided down the bridge and into a dark alley. Van broke into a sprint, dashing headlong into the alley after his brother. He saw a black cape turn the corner of a brick wall. Van ran on, pulling the Sword from its sheathe. He stood at the top of another bridge, with his brother walking slowly to the base. "Brother!" Van shouted. Folken turned, hatred written in his eyes. "Van, are you prepared to come back with me?" he asked quietly.
***************
Dilandau leapt up into his guymelef Alseides. The huge guymelef stomped down the wide aisle of the storage area. "Please, Lord Dilandau, Lord Folken told you not to leave the fortress. Please stop, Lord Folken will be most angry!" Hector ran alongside the guymelef in the 'melef storage area. Dilandau cackled. "Who said anything about leaving the Vione?" he hissed with evil joy. He turned the sighting mechanism on and sighted someone standing on the bridge where Folken was. He zoomed in and smiled in delight. There Van was, standing all alone on the bridge. Perfect. Hector stared in bewilderment. "Lord Dilandau's setting his energist on high to shot on a kremiclaw?" "That's it, my claw, reach in and tear Van to pieces!" Dilandau cried. The steel claw stretched downward toward the bridge with a metallic hiss. It struck a seagull and the bird plummeted, dead.
***************
Hitomi was admiring a jewelry stand when the vision hit her. She saw a flashing steel rod shoot toward the young King, saw his face and it struck him in a flash, killing him. "Oh, no…Van!" she cried. "Merla, where's Van?" she demanded, tapping the former princess on the arm. "He seemed upset about something, took off toward the harbor," Merla said thoughtfully. Hitomi tore down the street, her heartbeats pounding in time with her feet. I've gotta warn Van; I hope I make it in time… she thought, her pulse beating harshly in her ears. Hitomi grabbed a passing man's sleeve. "Excuse me, sir, but where's the harbor?" "It's down that way apiece," he smiled at her anxious face. The girl was probably supposed to meet a boyfriend there and obviously was lost. Hitomi glanced down the way he was pointing. "Thank you," she said, beginning to run again. Van…Oh, I have to hurry, I have to warn him…
Van raised his Sword. "None of that, brother," Folken said, beginning to raise his arm when both brothers heard Hitomi scream, "VAN! LOOK OUT!!" Van looked up, shocked, unable to move, as he saw the claw zooming toward his head, its silvery brightness reflecting in his eyes. He knew the instant it struck he would be reduced to nothing but charred ashes. Then he was lying pinned to the wooden planks by a warm body on top of his. Hitomi. "Hitomi?" he smelled the acrid smell of something that was burning.
**************
"Arrrrgh, that girl!" Dilandau screeched. His screech became a shriek of pain as the guymelef overheated. "Lord Dilandau!" Hector shouted, then jumped aside as one of the 'melef's arms creaked and fell off. Dilandau waded out, steam and smoke clinging to his uniform, burned in a dozen places. "…that girl…" he growled.
**************
"Hitomi?" Van repeated. He feared she had not survived the attack. Hitomi crawled off his back and gave him a worn smile. "I can't—believe I—made it—" she panted. Her hair was in disarray and the Asturian uniform she wore was torn at one seam. Dilandau, how dare you interfere? Folken thought darkly. Van stood, forcing his legs to stop shaking. "I see. So this is how you operate, brother?" he demanded. "This was not of my intent," Folken said frostily. "Is that all you have to say?" Van snarled, clenching his fists. Hitomi stared from one to the other. That's Van's older brother… "Yes, for now. We'll meet again, Van. Next time you won't be so lucky." Folken threw his stealth cloak on and vanished from view. "I'll kill you next time," Van yelled, his voice quivering with rage. "I'll kill you!"
Van turned back to Hitomi and asked wearily, "Are you hurt?" She shook her head, "No, just a little shaky." Van offered his hand and helped her stand. "Duke Aravis awaits us back at the castle," he said. Hitomi's knees were weak and they threatened to give way, so Van supported her. "Thank you, Hitomi," he murmured. The two walked slowly back to the market- place where Merla stood waiting. The moment she saw them she ran to them, tears in her eyes.
"Aravis's put Gaddis in prison!" she sobbed. Van's eyes went wide with anger and shock. "What?!" "I don't know what his reasons were, he's not speaking to me! He wanted to see you both. Oh, Van, Hitomi, be careful, reason with him, get Gaddis out!" Merla clasped her hands dramatically. "Something tells me there's more to this than we thought at first," Van said. "Where are the three men we had with us?" "Evanl and Kio got arrested, too!" Merla wept. "Lance—I don't know!" "Hitomi, you stay here." "No, Van," Hitomi said. "Let me come, please!" Van stared at her, then relented. "Okay, let's go. Merla, find Lance. Wait for us here, and if we don't return try to see your Aravis."
"Sir, you cannot pass," both guards said in unison. Van's eyes blazed. He pushed them aside, dragging Hitomi with him into the castle courtyard. Van shoved several guards away, all of which made almost no effort to stop him. "What. Is. The. Meaning. Of. This. Tell me!" Van growled into Duke Aravis's face. He slammed his fist onto the Duke's desk. The duke looked positively terrified, but his expression cleared into one of smug satisfaction as guards surrounded Van and Hitomi. Van was ready to kill, but one soldier grabbed Hitomi and threatened to run her through if Van didn't sheathe his weapon. "I'm sorry," Hitomi whispered. Van shot a look that would have killed, if possible, at the Duke and slowly put the Sword back into its sheathe. "Good, good, my fellow king. Once you're safely behind bars, I'll explain." But he never did.
Gaddis paced back and forth within his prison cell. He had been asked to see the Duke, then, instead, taken to a cell and thrown rudely in. "Gaddis!" The relief in Hitomi's voice was palatable. Gaddis turned, surprise written on his face. "Hitomi? Gods, not you, too. And Van…well, we're stuck, aren't we?" "Shut up, you," a guard said prodding him with a spear. Van struggled with his captors, baring his teeth, throwing punches. He bit and scratched until he broke free and, dropping back, yanked the Sword from the sheathe. It glowed, as if sensing a battle. "Okay, how 'bout releasing us!" he yelled, dropping into a fighter's stance. The guards took the threat seriously and immediately surrounded the King. "Van!" Hitomi cried, "Van, don't be foolish! Van!" Gaddis stared out from behind the bars. "There's nothing we can do," he said bitterly. Hitomi's pleas fell on deaf ears. However bold or fierce the young King was, the guards pressed themselves upon him until he felt himself smothering between the chain mail, unable to breathe or fight because the Sword was pinned to his side. Two guards held the King while the other flogged him with a whip.
"Stop it!" Hitomi screamed, gripping the bars. "Please, stop it!"
Once they had subdued Van, the guards threw him forcefully into the cell beside Gaddis and Hitomi. Van, bruised and battered, wiped a thin trail of blood from his mouth. "You'll pay for that," he whispered grimly. "Oh, Van…did they…?" Hitomi knelt beside him. She straightened his shirt as best as she could. "I'm fine, save your breath," Van said coldly, sitting up, ignoring the burning pain the whip had inflicted. Hitomi fell back into a sitting position. She reached into the breast-pocket of the Asturian shirt and pulled the deck of tarot cards out. Hitomi arranged them in silence. She drew one card. "Hermit again," she said. "We'll get our answer if we wait." Hitomi shuffled the cards and put them in a diamond. With trembling fingers she reached out to pull the last card. La Morte, read the card. Death. Again. Hitomi convinced herself it was just a coincedance and quickly put the deck back into the blouse-pocket. "It read death again, didn't it?" Van said softly. Hitomi didn't meet his eyes as she lied. "N-no. I screwed up on my arranging." Van sensed she wasn't telling the truth, but decided not to ask further.
Night fell on the Duchy of Freid. Gaddis had dozed off, and Hitomi lay curled up in a ball on the cold stone floor. Van looked at her still, shivering form and took his shirt off to cover her with. She relaxed as the shirt, still warm from his body, warmed hers. Van sighed and stared out a window. They were situated in a high tower, and the moon seemed closer than before. At this rate the we'll never we able to catch the Escaflowne in time…he thought wistfully. Began loading it…it'll be gone by tomorrow…
"Aravis!" Merla grabbed her Aravis's shoulders. She was much taller than him, and she shook him easily. "Aravis, why did you throw my friends in the dungeon!?" her voice quivered, and she was on the verge of tears. Merla realized it in a jolt. "The Dark Dragons are launching an attack on Asturia, aren't they?! Tell me!" "This isn't open to discussion, Merla," Aravis replied, kindly but firmly. "You threw Gaddis in the dungeon because you knew he'd go to help his homeland! My father is King of Asturia—I'm a Princess of Asturia! Throw Gaddis in the dungeon and I can't go back to help. Why is helping so wrong, Aravis?" Merla pleaded. Aravis looked down. "Because the Dark Dragons are destined to win, and for now, I'm keeping you all from harm. Stay here, Merla, dearest. Chid can see you now." Merla squared her shoulders and marched from the room, the last words she said imprinting themselves on the Duke's memory. "Liar! I hate you!"
Hitomi woke slowly. She saw Van sitting half-naked by the window- ledge and realized what he'd done. "Van!" she scolded, taking his shirt and walking to him. "You'll get sick, sitting out there without any shirt—" Van accepted his shirt from her and tossed it on. "I'm fine, Hitomi," he said, beginning to pace around the interior of the cell. "So you two are finally awake, huh?" Gaddis yawned. "Yes, and now we need to figure out a way to escape. I've ruled out jumping from the window," Van said, with the slightest chuckle. "And I've—Merla?" Gaddis was flabbergasted.
All three prisoners saw the former princess trip over the last step up the stairs and strike her head. The guard stepped near her, unsure of what to do. "Milady, are you—unngh!" "Gotcha," said Lance, tapping the prone form of the guard with his sword-tip. Merla stood up, fumbling with the keys. She turned one in the lock and was rewarded with the door sliding open. "That was cleverly done," Gaddis said fondly. Van nodded. "The Scherazade's waiting, we don't have much time," Merla said breathlessly. "The Dark Dragons are loading the Escaflowne onto a fortress as we speak. If we hurry, we might be able to catch them and reclaim the God of War." Van remembered Sora's warning, and shuddered. "Van, what's wrong? You look so sad all of a sudden," Hitomi said. Van hadn't realized his anxiety had shown on his face and he shrugged his shoulders, putting on a cavalier attitude. "Huh? No, nothing's wrong."
The fivesome hurried through the streets. It was early morning and some merchants were beginning to set their stands up. Kio and Evanl, freed in the same manner as they had been, stood waiting at the airship. "C'mon, Boss, we're off!" Celiquo yelled from the engine room. The party clambered on the ship. "Damn," everyone heard Van exclaim. "Look, Aravis's soldiers!" True enough, a rather large group of Freid soldiers were galloping atop horses at top speed towards their airship. Gaddis restrained the young King from charging towards the group. "Hold, Van. They've got horses. Kio, Lance, Evanl, Gruven! Set sail!" "Aye aye, sir!"
The airship rose into the air before the baffled soldiers' eyes. Hitomi shrieked as the airship yawed to the left. She grabbed hold of something to keep herself from falling. The something turned out to be Van's hand. Van glanced down at her scared face and smiled ever so slightly. "What are we doing?" Hitomi yelled over the noise of the engine. Van shrugged. Gaddis stood on deck, peering through an eyeglass. "Floating fortress spotted!" Evanl shouted. "Okay! Follow them!" Gaddis ordered.
The sun broke across a strange scene. A massive floating fortress hovering above the clouds was pursued by a small flying skiff. The fortress did not know it was being pursued. "Listen, boys," Gaddis said. "We're gonna board 'em, launch a diversion attack, pretend we want to shut the thing down, and Van, you get to the Escaflowne and bring it out." "We're gonna make them pay f' what they did t' Fanelia!" Allen muttered, licking the tip of his dagger. "I'll toast t' that!" Kio grinned. The airship gained on the fortress. The fortress docked in a vale. "But that's—that's where the wandering earth collects," said Gaddis. "What's wandering earth?" Hitomi asked, baffled. Van answered. "Wandering earth—levistones. They supply levitation for floating fortresses and our airships. That's a perfect place for a fortress to hide." Gaddis sprang into action. "Heat the levistones! Cut our levitation to the brink!" The crew obeyed. "Furl the sails!" Gaddis roared, "And dive!"
*******************
Dilandau stood in front of the guymelef Escaflowne. Folken had let him off with a light punishment—a bloody nose and swollen jaw. So you are the Escaflowne, the guymelef Van wants, Dilandau thought. Espano style, if I'm not mistaken…hmm… "Interesting, isn't it?" Folken's voice said from behind him. Dilandau whirled. "Well, it certainly is impressive," he admitted grudgingly. "Yes, well. Keep in mind, Dilandau, that only Kings of Fanelia can operate these." Folken strode purposefully up the platform to where the Escaflowne sat. It was a massive machine, ivory white with a long, deep blue cape. Fanelia's symbol was imprinted in gold upon the cloak. Van's energist had been placed inside already. It was a ruby- colored stone. The Escaflowne had been finished with two huge emeralds set in each shoulder joint. It truly was magnificent. Folken sighed, almost wistful, as he thought of how it would have become his had he not failed to slay the dragon. He placed his hand against the breast-plate of the armor. The energist glowed briefly, then the hatch opened. "My brother is bonded to this Escaflowne—if it were to suffer enough damage, Van would die." "Why not just destroy the machine, then?" Dilandau demanded. "Your brother would be doomed, wouldn't he?"
"You can't just destroy an Espano guymelef!" Folken hissed. "Fool, Dilandau, these were not made to be destroyed!" Dilandau bowed his head, "Forgive me, Folken-sama." Folken touched the energist again and the hatch closed. "You see, Dilandau—" A massive crash rocked the fortress. "What—" "We're under attack! We're under attack!" Dilandau sprang into action. "All units prepare for combat!" he bellowed into an amplifier.
***************
Van felt a niggling sensation in the back of his head and knew at once what it was. "Folken!" he growled. "He's looking at the Escaflowne!" The airship struck the side of the fortress and began to slide down. "Anchor!" Gaddis yelled. The moment the airship had steadied itself, Allen cried, "Levitation restored, sir!" "Good. Cut the tether, and get ready. The airship attached itself to the hangar of the floating fortress. "Okay, let's board them!" Gaddis shouted. Van touched Hitomi's shoulder lightly. "Stay here, you two," he said to her. Merla stood with her. "Be careful, Van," Hitomi said. The King yanked the Sword from the sheathe. "Escaflowne, here I come!" he yelled.
With wild roars the nine charged into the hangar area.
Hitomi leaned against the engine room wall. "You think they'll be okay, Merla?" "Gaddis knows what he's doing," Merla replied, fiddling with her hair. "You don't sound too sure," Hitomi said. "Eight against a hundred—would you feel safe?" "Well, no," Hitomi admitted. "But I think something…someone…is protecting them."
Gaddis winked at Van. "'Melef storage area is down there," he called. Van nodded. "I'll take care of things here! C'mon, guys! Yah!" Van held his Sword in front of him as he drew towards the storage area—then he stopped. There was smoke, oily, thick smoke, rolling from the place. "But—how?" Dilandau had attempted to open the Escaflowne's hatch. He had screamed when the Escaflowne reacted negatively to his hand, flinging him across the storage area. Smoke poured from the explosion.
Dilandau saw the young King running toward the Escaflowne. "Hey you!" Van shouted, "Draw!" Dilandau smiled. He drew his sword without a moment's hesitation. "Dilandau," Folken said. Dilandau looked up and was instantly lifted into the air. "No, Folken-sama! Please, I was only…" Dilandau's voice was abruptly cut off as Folken used his powers to toss the young soldier into a wall. Dilandau collapsed. "Brother!" Van yelled. "Hello, Van-sama. Are you prepared to die today, brother?" Folken's voice was oddly calm. "Are you?" Van shouted the challenge. "We'll see, we'll see." Folken raised his arm. "I would have killed you at the bridge, but now I'll have some fun."
Van was enveloped in blue light. "What's this?" he gasped in amazement. "A simple trick, brother, really. You would call it—magic." Folken smirked, then made a swift motion with his left hand. Van slammed into a wall, then slid down beside the unconscious Dilandau. Folken lifted him again, and this time Van's body made contact with the Escaflowne. He fell to the foot of the guymelef, panting for breath. "But I tire of such silly games," Folken said. "Now it is time for you to die." Van closed his eyes, knowing it was the end. Folken's palms glowed with blue, brighter and brighter as he created the energy ball that would wipe a certain Van Fanel off the face of Gaea.
Hitomi screamed as the vision struck her. "Van! No!" "What's wrong?" Merla asked her. "Van's in danger, his brother…Oh god…I've got to warn him!" "Van? His brother?" "Where's the guymelef place?" Hitomi demanded, grabbing a stray sword from the ground and strapping it to her sash. "I don't know—near the hangar, perhaps—what are you doing…? Hitomi?" Hitomi charged ahead heedless of Merla. "Hitomi, you don't even know how to work a sword! How the hell do you expect to survive?!" Merla was so upset she cursed. "I'll be fine, don't worry!" Hitomi called, running down the platforms into the hangar.
The sounds of combat were all around her. Gaddis caught sight her and his eyes widened, but he was too occupied fighting to call out after her. Hitomi ran on. Van…Folken…death… She spotted a high-ceiling room, with several huge giant machines. Those must be the guymelefs Van talks about… She gasped when she saw the scene. The albino, Dilandau, lay unconscious in a corner. Folken stood atop a platform beside a guymelef, his younger brother in a heap on the cold ground. Folken's fists were glowing. Oh no…VAN!!
Folken prepared himself to release the blow. "And now, Van-sama is no more!" he crowed gleefully. "VAN!!" Hitomi screamed, sprinting across the steel floor. Van raised his head a little. Hitomi… "You are too late," Folken said. He clasped his hands together and the beam erupted. "NO!" Hitomi yelled, and threw herself across the King. The pair was hurled into the wall, the force of the blast causing them to crash right through. Van knew no human being could have survived an attack like that. Yet… Hitomi's face, bruised and concerned, came into view. "Van," she whispered. "Van, can you hear me? Van!" "I'm okay," Van croaked. Hitomi sat up. "I don't think we're still alive," she said. "I do," said Van. Folken stared at the two, angry astonishment written across his features. She is the Goddess of Wings…
Suddenly there was an almighty rumble. "The fortress is breaking!" Hitomi cried, fearful. Van raised himself painfully, marveling. Nothing was broken. "Come on. I still need to get the Escaflowne!" Van tottered for a moment, then broke into a more steady run. He placed his hand against the energist. The hatch opened obediently. Van leapt in and picked Hitomi up gently with the mammoth fist. "Gaddis!" he yelled. "The fortress! Evacuate!" Gaddis signaled to his men and they dropped back, retreating to the airship. Van deposited Hitomi on the hangar of the fortress, then leapt into space with the Escaflowne. "Van!" Hitomi, Merla, and the crew exclaimed. The guymelef morphed. It switched with the loudness of machinery. Into a Dragon! The beast flew levelly with the airship.
There was a creak and a huge shudder as the fortress collapsed. Four escape guymelefs flew from the fortress. Folken! Van gnashed his teeth. The Scherazade took off, leaving Hitomi standing in the hangar, which then broke and fell into space. Hitomi yelled as she plummeted down, headfirst. She screamed, covering her head, waiting to hit the bottom and smash. "Hitomi! NO!" Van shouted, throwing his shirt off and leaping off the back of the Dragon guymelef. Hitomi fell backwards, her hands covering her head. There was a crack as Van inhaled sharply and two white wings burst from his back. Hitomi stared… He beat them once, hurtling toward her. Van held his hand out…
Hitomi reached upward. Their hands met and held. "You're…you're an angel!" Hitomi gasped. "No," Van said softly. "Hold on tight, it's about to get rough." The winged King flew close to the cliff edge of the valley. Then, without a sound, Van Fanel buckled and fell across her. "Van! Van!" Hitomi rolled him over. "Van, please! Don't leave me! Van?" She began to cry bitterly, hugging his limp body. Hitomi froze. Someone was watching her. "Let him die, child," Hector, the dog-man, said. "No! Van won't die; I won't let him. He can't die." "Let him be free of all the sorrows of this world, give him the death he has longed for." "Never!" Hitomi shrieked, curling defensively over the King. "Van…Van!" "I've sent for some of our animal-clans," Hector said gently. "Their healers are out searching for you." Hitomi looked up, her face tearstained. "Th-thank you…" "Don't thank me. You never thank the enemy." Hector vanished as he pulled his stealth cloak on.
Hitomi's sobs quieted and became less hysterical. "Don't worry, Van," she said to the unconscious King, "help is on the way."
*******************
The gates of death seemed colder than before. Van had been here before and had met his father. He could faintly hear voices, but they were far, far away and so quiet… Van…Van!… I've sent for some of our animal- clans…their healers are out searching for you… Th-thank you… Don't thank me…you never thank the enemy… Then a familiar voice… Don't worry, Van…help is on the way… "Hitomi!" Van realized, smiling. His smile faded. How was he going to get back to her?
*******************
"Where's Hitomi and Van?" Gaddis asked. Merla clapped her hands to her mouth. "Oh, gods!! Van, Hitomi, and the Escaflowne are still…" "What?! You mean we left them there?" Merla nodded, her eyes clouding over with tears. "They…" "Hmm…we'll stop at the nearest village. Knowing Van, he'll bring Hitomi their as soon as he can." "But Palas is the only village—an animal village!" Allen protested. "Have you got a problem about animal-men?" Gaddis snapped. "N-no, sir," Allen looked at his feet. "Then get to it!"
The small airship changed course for Palas, the animal-village.
*******************
Eriya was in mourning. Naria had not survived the blast. Folken paced behind her. "Eriya…" his voice was tender. "Leave me alone…oh…Folken-sama…" she said. "Naria was a wonderful cat-woman, just like you. Please try to be happy—for your own sake—and for mine." Eriya blushed. "I'll try…Folken-sama…" She lifted a silver hand to wipe a tear away. "You miss her much, then?" "Yes…Naria…was like my best friend…not only a sister…guiding—we…" Eriya broke into a fresh storm of tears. Folken felt extremely guilty, knowing it was his energy blast that had triggered the eruption that destroyed the fortress and killed Naria. He hugged the sobbing cat-woman close to him, and let her cry. "Shh…Eriya, it will be all right, shh…"
Dilandau lay on his own bed—own arm broken but fast healing. "Hector, did Van survive that?" Hector bowed low. "I—I am not sure, Lord Dilandau." "Good. I hope the pest is dead."
******************
Hitomi didn't know what time at night it was, but she felt furry hands carefully lifting Van from her arms and placing her in a cart. The Escaflowne was also being moved, judging by the many grunts of those pushing the mecha. She vaguely remembered the bumping motion of the cart moving before she slipped asleep.
When she woke the sun was shining brightly through an earthen window. "W-where…?" "Ah…Yore awake. You had me worried—slept for an 'ole day, that you did." Hitomi looked up and saw a kindly dog-woman staring down at her. "Oh…Van! Where is he? You know, a young man—this tall, black messy hair…gray eyes, wings?" "Ah…him. Well…" "He's still alive, right? Van? Where is he?" "There," the dog-woman pointed. "Will he be okay?" Hitomi asked. "Yes. He must rest, regain his strength." Hitomi looked over at the sleeping King and smiled. "Van…"
It was on the seventh day that Van finally opened his eyes. To find a green-eyed angel staring down at him. "H-Hitomi?" he coughed, his own voice sounding harsh and unused. "Oh, Van," she said fondly, smoothing his hair out of his face. "I'm so glad! You're finally awake. It's been seven days, you know." "It has? Seven days…" Van sat up, but Hitomi pushed him back down again. "Not yet—you can't get up yet. Khadijah says you need another few days before you'll be okay." "Khadijah?" Van twisted the word around his tongue with great difficulty. Hitomi smiled at his effort to say the word. "Yes, she's the healer who looked after you." "But…"
"A dog-woman. Hector helped them find us." "Who's Hector?" Van said suspiciously. It could be anyone, but he wouldn't be able to bear it if Hitomi had been seeing someone. Gods, how it would hurt him. Hitomi laughed, knowing what was going through the King's mind. "Not my boy- friend," she grinned. Her grin faded. "Hector is…Dilandau's minion. He works…for…the Dark Dragons." She watched his face, waiting for a reaction. There was none. Van looked down. "He helped us?" "Yes. Hector used to live here, but he was captured and taken into slavery. He asked the old village to help him out and heal you." Van was quiet for a long time. "I'm a half-Draconian, one of the Winged people," Van said finally, "Mother warned me not to show my wings until the right time came along." "About you're wings," Hitomi said, blushing. "Huh?" said Van. "Don't worry, Van, I think they're beautiful." Hitomi touched her lips to his cheek, blushed, and scampered away before he could say anything. Van lay there for a long time, one hand to the cheek she had kissed.
Hitomi sat on a small grassy hill, thinking. She missed her family on earth, that was true. But then…Van…she didn't want to leave him. Poor Van was a boy King and his nation was gone. It would take many years to rebuild, if he survived the war. "Hello," a lithe young cat-woman sat down beside her. "I'm Ariel—who're you?" "Hitomi," Hitomi said. The girl had long pink hair, tied in a braid by a rawhide string. Her blue eyes were untrusting. "Hitomi? What kind of name is that?" Ariel asked, fiddling with her hair. "Are you a girl, even? Your hair is so short! And boy's clothes?! How strange!" Hitomi was insulted, but her quick mind thought up a comeback. "Excuse me, but you seem hardly in the position to call any one else strange," Hitomi said snidely. "Well, that's just fine with me!" Ariel cried, and walked away.
"Same here, you can be sure," Hitomi muttered. "Oh, Mom, Yukari…Amano…I miss you all…" She smiled briefly. The day a strange white- haired woman had summoned her to Gaea, the school track team captain had asked her best friend Yukari out. Hitomi had joined the track team because of Amano—such a cute, gallant young man—but her crush on him had faded over that last two years of high school. She saw now that bright, red-haired Yukari would make Amano happier than some scholarly girl. They'd have some fun together, she was sure. She wondered how her mother—single since the divorce—was reacting to her disappearance. She probably hadn't noticed yet.
"Hitomi?" Van said. Hitomi turned. "Van, you aren't supposed to be out of bed just yet!" she cried. "I know," Van said softly, standing beside her. "I…had to…ah…get some fresh air! Yeah, that's it." "Sure," Hitomi said, rolling her eyes. "Er…Hitomi…I don't know much about you. You never really said anything." Hitomi knew what he was hinting at. "I'm a high school student in Tokyo, Japan—on earth, your Mystic Moon. Kanzaki Hitomi, on the track team. My mother is divorced and still single…she doesn't care all that much about me. I'd disappear every now and then…come back all confused about myself. 'Dreamer,' they called me…" "I can see why," Van added, with a small smile. Hitomi punched his arm playfully. "Shut up." But I can see why… Van thought, Her eyes always have that faraway look…dreamy…beautiful…huh?
Beautiful? Fanel, you got kissed once on the cheek and now your stupid head is malfunctioning. Idiot!
"Van?" Hitomi touched his shoulder. "You looked like you zoned out, just then. Are you feeling okay? Fever, dizziness? Maybe you should go and lie down or—" "I'll be fine, Hitomi." Van suddenly found himself looking down at her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. "That's good, soon we'll be able to find the Abaharaki again," she said, her voice muffled. "LORD VAN!!" Ariel screamed, pounding up the hill. Van turned. "Ariel?" he said, complete disbelief in his voice. "It's me! It's me! Oh, Lord Van! How long it's been! I heard from Ruku, but I thought it was a rumor! Oh, Lord Van!" she shoved Hitomi aside and hugged him fiercely.
Hitomi watched the two hugging, and she walked away. Of course…they know each other…sweethearts, perhaps…how stupid of me to think that Van would actually want me as his… Tears sprung to her eyes and she broke into a run, back to Khadijah's house.
"Hitomi, wait!" Van called, but the girl didn't hear him. "You're hanging out with her?" said Ariel. "Yes," Van said shortly. His patience with the pink-haired cat girl was beginning to run out. "Gods, Lord Van, but she's just a commoner…" Ariel began. "No. She's the Tsbasi no Kami, the Goddess of Wings, the weapon that we will use to defeat the Dark Dragons," Van said angrily. "Really," Ariel frowned at him. "Besides, Ariel, wouldn't the average Lord consider you less than a commoner?" Van added reproachfully. "Yes…but…I…" Ariel fretted, twisting her tail around her hands. "Ariel, I have to go now," Van turned on his heel and strode away, furious.
Hitomi wiped her eyes dry in the small mud-hut. I'm being silly, she thought, crying over something so trivial. But it's not trivial! "Hitomi," Van said softly, standing in the doorway, "it's not what you think. Ariel and I met when we were very young—not over five years, I think. We're just friends—like a brother and sister, almost. When I grew older I drifted away from her…and I really haven't thought of her since. We're just friends," he repeated. "She just hasn't seen me in so long…her obvious reaction was to…" "I see," Hitomi said blankly. "I know you're upset…It…it's not what you think," he said again. Gods, did I say the right thing?
"No, I should be sorry," Hitomi said after a pause. "I acted like a jealous old hag…oh, Van!" She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face on his shoulder. Van nearly smiled. To think Hitomi would compare herself to an old hag—he wanted to laugh. "I want to go home," she sobbed, "but I don't want to leave you…you all, I mean…And I…" "Shh…stop, it'll be okay, don't worry, we'll find a way to get you back, I promise," Van said, stroking her hair awkwardly. "I'm sorry," Hitomi wept, sniffling a little, "I've gone and soaked your shirt and I bet I sound terrible…" Van bit his lip to conceal a smile. It was rather comical. "You sound worse than Ariel trying to swim," Van grinned. Hitomi's eyes, sad and green, looked up at him. A small smile was beginning to appear on her face. "Worse than a person who's being squashed by a guymelef," Van continued, encouraged. Hitomi began to giggle. "Worse than…ah…er…" "Worse than Merla blubbering," Hitomi finished, beginning to laugh. "Oh, Van. You're just something else, you know that? Something else." She squeezed his hand.
So are you, Hitomi. So are you.
***************
Dilandau's arm was now working properly. He was of Dragon Blood—like his ancestors, he healed quickly. Dilandau had not forgotten the King of Fanelia. Like those of Dragon Blood he was quick to remember and even quicker to anger. There was an insane glint in those red eyes. He would kill Van. Of that he was sure. Now that girl…the one who kept thwarting his plans…he'd have a long talk with her. A very long talk. Dilandau laughed. He'd wait. He'd wait. Oh, revenge would be so sweet. Dilandau stared at a candle. Fire was so intriguing. Red…burning…it took everything in its path… He stroked the scar Van had inflicted. Oh, Van, I'm gonna give you more than just a scar! Just you wait and see! He threw back his head and his crazy laughter filled his room.
***************
"Elder!" a red-furred dog-boy cried, urging his horse onward. "Elder, I've just received word from Palas. The Abaharaki are waiting there, in the Tavern of the Blue Boar!" "Very good, Ruku," the Elder replied. She was an ancient cat-woman, born countless seasons ago. Her fur was dull with age and her face wrinkled, but her eyes and voice glowed with the sound of youth. "Tell the young Lord and his lady friend. If they need an escort, we are always willing to help." "Yes, Elder," Ruku said, bowing his head respectively. His horse began a leisurely trot to Khadijah's hut.
***************
Merla and Gaddis sat atop the roof of the Blue Boar Tavern, sharing a drink. The roof was a faded, worn, chipped blue. Merla ran her hand along the tiles, feeling the many ruts and bumps the weather had inflicted. "When I was young I came here once," she said, almost sadly, "The roof was newly painted. It's been such a long time; I can't believe this is the same place." "Times have changed," Gaddis said. "Twelve years ago, if you asked a villager what a Dark Dragon was they'd not know. Now those words—that name—are the very terror of the town." "Twelve years ago all would have said the next King of Fanelia would be solid-headed Folken of Fanelia. Father had considered marrying me to him. Now if you ask, the villagers will offer their condolences, or ask where Fanelia is. You're right, times have changed. I just hope Van and Hitomi are all right."
***************
Van Fanel was just fine. At that moment in time, he was also laughing. "Come back here, you thief!" Hitomi cried, giggling helplessly. Van had stolen her sash, and she was chasing him around Khadijah's hut, up the hill, down again… Hitomi gained on him. "Ha!" she shouted triumphantly, snatching her sash back. Van grinned. He began to pursue her, both of them practically shrieking with laughter. Hitomi knew he'd never catch up; she was a runner, on the track team. She put on an extra spurt of speed to get away. Hitomi yelled as Van tackled her to the ground, his wings pulling her close to him. "I'd forgotten about these," Hitomi smiled, touching a white feather. "You cheater!" "Me, a cheater? You're going to pay for insulting a King, Hitomi!" Van growled playfully. She struggled up again and ran away from him. "Haha, only if you can catch me!" Van stood, flexed his wings, then leapt into the air. It was only a matter of seconds before Hitomi felt herself being lifted up. "Oh, Van! Put me down, you…er….you King!"
Van grinned and released her. Hitomi shrieked as she fell towards the ground, then sighed as Van swooped down and caught her, just inches from the grassy surface. He dropped her gently on the hill. "Van!" Hitomi pursed her lips in mock anger. "You could have killed me. You could have missed." Van took advantage of her distraction to grab the sash away from her. "Van! Hey, give that back! Hey!" Van tripped over a root and Hitomi, in close pursuit, fell on top of him. The laughing jumble rolled down the hill. They disentangled themselves from each other. "Don't do that again, Van Fanel," Hitomi panted, sobbing with laughter. "I—won't—" Van gasped for air between laughs. "Don't—worry—" Both of them dissolved into almost hysterical fits of giggles. Van twitched painfully as he closed his eyes and willed his wings to retract—still laughing, though.
Ruku watched them from a distance. How he hated to ruin their fun. Both of them, away from the reality of war…death… He knew the young Lord would revert back to his former way the moment they joined up again with the Abaharaki. However, he had promised his Elder, and he would do his job. "Lord Van Fanel?" he said, his voice a squeak. Royalty. He was speaking to Royalty. Van stood. "I am," he said cautiously. This was Ruku, the dog-boy Ariel was smitten with. "I've a message from Palas. The Abaharaki is waiting in the Blue Boar Tavern. Join them immediately." Hitomi clapped her hands. "This is great! We can get back to your friends, Van!" Van's expression was flat and distant. "Yeah…" Ruku bowed. "Your Majesty." He backed away from them, still bowing outrageously, his knees trembling and threatening to give way.
Khadijah applied salve to a cut on Van's arm. He nearly flinched at the sharp pain the salve caused, but caught himself. "Did that hurt, Lord?" Khadijah asked. "No," Van said carelessly, glancing down at his Sword. "Ah…yore certain?" the dog-woman jabbed his side, where the old wound was. Van gasped, dropped the Sword, and clutched his side. "Are you—trying to—kill me?" he choked. "No, no, Lord. Just seeing if it has healed yet, which it obviously hasn't. Were you up immediately after you were wounded?" Van nodded guiltily. "Yes. We were attacked and I…" "But you had been ordered to stay in the room," Khadijah's yellow eyes shone in the candlelight. "How did you…" "These things I know," Khadijah said simply, turning from him to find another bottle of salve. She handed him a clear glass jar with a thick green paste inside. "It is of plesna. Use it in situations grave. I know you are leaving at dawn today. We'll meet again. I have seen it…" with a mysterious smile the dog-woman bid him goodnight. "I shall miss you," she added.
True enough, the next day, when the first rays of the sun could be seen peeking over the mountain peaks, Van Fanel and Hitomi rode away on a fast sorrel mare. "Goodbye, Lord Van!" Ariel screamed, her arm around Ruku's shoulder. "Gods be with you!" Ruku yelled. The animal village cheered. "Goodbye! 'Bye, Ariel! 'Bye, Ruku! Thank you for everything! Goodbye, Khadijah!" Hitomi cried, waving with both arms. Van raised one arm for 'a King's salute,' a move his brother had taught him long ago. "Luck of the Dragons!" Khadijah shouted. Then the King and the girl were lost to sight.
It was a full day and night before Van and Hitomi arrived at the small village Palas. Hitomi was bone-weary and saddle-sick. They had rode non-stop, and even the sorrel was foaming at the mouth. Van slowed her to a walk, and they traveled the deserted streets of the city, searching for the Tavern of the Blue Boar. "Van…" Hitomi murmured, her head on his shoulder. "Hmm?" said Van. "Can't we stop…?" her voice trembled with fatigue. "We're almost there, Hitomi," Van said softly, stroking her hair. "Look, I see it!" she whispered, her exhaustion making her voice soft. Van looked. A faded sign. In gold gilded letters were the words, "Blue Boar Tavern." Van nearly sighed with relief, but as usual, he caught himself. Hitomi's body sagged as she sighed. "Thank god…a bed…sleep…ohhhh…" she yawned.
Van tied the sorrel to a fence post and helped Hitomi dismount. "C'mon, I'll get you a room," he said, steering the sleepy girl through the door.
*****************
interesting development
no doubt something will come of this
the question is what
Folken had slept fitfully. He awoke around midnight, panting and drenched in cold sweat. He did not remember his dream. Folken rose to look through his window. Unlike any ordinary window, this blue-glass showed him whatever event he wished to see—but there was a catch. The mirror was enchanted to only show Draconians, half-Draconians, children of Draconians… "Show me my brother," Folken ordered. He stared at the black- haired youth, remembering when Van had been a chubby little prince, now grown tall and muscular. He stared at the girl Van carried in his arms. Goddess of Wings. She didn't seem like much. Folken stiffened as he saw Van plant a small peck on the girl's forehead. The same thoughts ran through his head as before.
interesting development
no doubt something will come of this
the question is what
****************
Van and Hitomi had rested and were now eating breakfast in the inn. Van was drinking a mug of ale. Hitomi sipped a beaker of greensap milk. "Hey, you," Van waved at the innkeeper, a goat-man wearing a tattered apron. The innkeeper hurried over. "Yes, sir?" "Is there a man here with long yellow hair—about this long? His name is Gaddis Schezar. There should be a woman with him." "Who?" asked the innkeeper, digging into the apron pocket and producing an ear trumpet. "Gaddis Schezar," Van repeated, his patience slipping away. "Is he here?" "Well…I…er…ah…" the innkeeper played with his ear trumpet nervously. Van's good mood deserted him entirely. The goat-man squealed with fright as Van hoisted him into the air by his collar. "Is. The. Abaharaki. Here. Or. Not. Answer!" he snapped, shaking the innkeeper with each word. Hitomi tapped Van's arm. "Van, put him down! You could be hurting him. Besides, I don't think he can answer you if you're doing that." Van considered and, after a pause, lowered the goat-man back onto the floor.
The innkeeper dusted himself off and sighed. "You're just as they said they'd be," he said ruefully, placing the ear trumpet back into his pocket. "Van Fanel the Hothead and a female Soul Tamer. Follow me, I'll take you to them." Before they could move an arrow thudded into the table, a white rose tied to its shaft. Van and Hitomi looked up. Merla winked, holding her bow high above her head. Gaddis twirled a second white rose. "Welcome back," he said, and the Abaharaki cheered, raising their glasses in a toast.
Did you like it? That's Chapter Two. Next up, Chapter Three, An Alliance of Some Sorts.
Should be up in a day. If you're wondering how I can keep posting so fast, it's cuz I already finished, like, five chapters a while ago.