A second chapter as promised. It took a while because I didn't know where I
wanted to go with the story at first. So I thought and thought and did a
bit of planning. Hopefully it's all for the best. Anyways.just in case ya
didn't know, Escaflowne doesn't belong to me.
*~*~*~*
Under the night sky a young man gazed up at the large planet hanging in the sky, trying to come to terms with the news that was now before him. His eyes threatened to spill with the unshed tears of loneliness. He was bitterly reminded of loosing his love by the pendant that he now wore around his neck.
"Are you sure?" he muttered apprehensively.
"I'm positive; Austarian forces have all confirmed it. Yaku was attacked by melefs in stealth cloaks."
"But there's no proof that it was Zaibach, Allen."
"There's also no proof that it isn't. There have been strange disappearances and I'm worried about Celena, she keeps on screaming in the middle of the night and I try to console her, but."
"Screaming?"
"She always says she's alright, but once she slipped and said that certain things were better left forgotten."
"You should go to her."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine, Merle's here." He turned around smiling, "I can never be bored when she is around now can I?"
"Alright, then I'll take my leave. But be careful and be certain that there is always a guard on watch."
"Yes, I'm perfectly aware of what could happen," said Van bitterly.
"I didn't mean anything by that," replied the knight.
"I know. I'm just.touchy. That's all."
"Your majesty, try to get some rest. I've placed guards at strategic points throughout the castle."
"You shouldn't be protecting me. It's the civilians that need it."
"Civilians cannot become a nation without a king."
"And a king cannot rule a nation without civilians."
"So we are of equal importance."
"That may be true, but no matter what you must survive."
"Why?" muttered Van as he let out heavy sigh. "Because it's my duty? Because they need me? Because I'm the only one who can pilot Escaflowne? I gave that up long."
"But you may be forced to."
"Fight in it once more." Van finished. "Look you don't understand how it takes over. How can you when Schezarade doesn't even match Escaflowne's strength and"
"Enough!" yelled Allen before calming down. "I know how you're feeling but there's nothing that can be done. All we can do is lay low. Please do this for the sake of your future wife. You know that your marriage is in six weeks."
"Of course I do. It wouldn't do for the groom to die, know would it?" Van stated sarcastically.
"No," muttered the knight resolutely as he turned to leave. Delta, the guard at the door stepped sideways to allow him through. Allen was a common guest in the castle; all the guards knew his face and the respect that he demanded. Delta, was still young at eighteen, but had always admired Allen for his bravery and valour. It pained him to see his king brush off the knight, and his own life as if they had no meaning.
Van motioned for Delta to leave, but the boy stood resolutely. Allen had confided in him earlier telling him not to leave Van alone. Though Fanelia had been rebuilt, the pain went on and on. He knew what Zaibach was capable of. He had lived through it as a child. Since he had been in Van's service for the past year, he also knew how well the king could brood.
He remembered hearing a tale once of a girl who had come from the Mystic Moon, helped to save Gaea and then went back home after he and the king had acknowledged their love for one another. He hated her because of the pain she doled out to Lord Van, simply by not being there. Deep in his heart he knew it wasn't her fault, it was just a result of fate. But fate be damned, all he wanted was for the sorrow to disappear from the land.
Just then, Delta heard a mew from behind him. He didn't have to look to know it was the pink haired cat girl he had become so familiar with. "So how is Lord Van today?" she inquired.
"He's been better," replied Delta.hazel eyes filling with compassion as he spoke.
"I see.well I suppose it's my job to cheer him up. It's almost as if I've taken the role of court jester as well as best friend."
Delta simply nodded. He had long harbored a secret love for her, but had kept that hidden. At his age he knew that service had to come before love. Merle was a friend to the king, one that he couldn't survive without. Merle ran into the throne room yelling "Van!" and vaulting herself into the arms of the king.
*~*~*~*
Elsewhere in Fanalia, the wise men gazed at the stars, trying to interpret their pattern and glow. In past years Van had made a point of all but eliminating anything that would predict fate, but the recent suspicions of Zaibach had everyone on edge. The citizens had a renewed interest in what was going to happen, and if they could do anything to change it.
Whether their actions were approved or not, the people knew that something must be done to avert any tragedy that could be prevented. Everyone had suffered through too much and they all wanted the harmony in the land to remain.
Sateele, the oldest of the three men, cautiously snaked his hand around a telescope before peering into the sky above. On this night the stars seemed brighter and the Mystic Moon seemed particularly close. Sateele then saw an astounding sight, three shooting stars swiftly move across the sky in rapid succession. Each one was brighter then the last. He moved away from the telescope and turned to find the other two men who were just as awestruck at the occurrence.
*~*~*~*
Under the night sky a young man gazed up at the large planet hanging in the sky, trying to come to terms with the news that was now before him. His eyes threatened to spill with the unshed tears of loneliness. He was bitterly reminded of loosing his love by the pendant that he now wore around his neck.
"Are you sure?" he muttered apprehensively.
"I'm positive; Austarian forces have all confirmed it. Yaku was attacked by melefs in stealth cloaks."
"But there's no proof that it was Zaibach, Allen."
"There's also no proof that it isn't. There have been strange disappearances and I'm worried about Celena, she keeps on screaming in the middle of the night and I try to console her, but."
"Screaming?"
"She always says she's alright, but once she slipped and said that certain things were better left forgotten."
"You should go to her."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine, Merle's here." He turned around smiling, "I can never be bored when she is around now can I?"
"Alright, then I'll take my leave. But be careful and be certain that there is always a guard on watch."
"Yes, I'm perfectly aware of what could happen," said Van bitterly.
"I didn't mean anything by that," replied the knight.
"I know. I'm just.touchy. That's all."
"Your majesty, try to get some rest. I've placed guards at strategic points throughout the castle."
"You shouldn't be protecting me. It's the civilians that need it."
"Civilians cannot become a nation without a king."
"And a king cannot rule a nation without civilians."
"So we are of equal importance."
"That may be true, but no matter what you must survive."
"Why?" muttered Van as he let out heavy sigh. "Because it's my duty? Because they need me? Because I'm the only one who can pilot Escaflowne? I gave that up long."
"But you may be forced to."
"Fight in it once more." Van finished. "Look you don't understand how it takes over. How can you when Schezarade doesn't even match Escaflowne's strength and"
"Enough!" yelled Allen before calming down. "I know how you're feeling but there's nothing that can be done. All we can do is lay low. Please do this for the sake of your future wife. You know that your marriage is in six weeks."
"Of course I do. It wouldn't do for the groom to die, know would it?" Van stated sarcastically.
"No," muttered the knight resolutely as he turned to leave. Delta, the guard at the door stepped sideways to allow him through. Allen was a common guest in the castle; all the guards knew his face and the respect that he demanded. Delta, was still young at eighteen, but had always admired Allen for his bravery and valour. It pained him to see his king brush off the knight, and his own life as if they had no meaning.
Van motioned for Delta to leave, but the boy stood resolutely. Allen had confided in him earlier telling him not to leave Van alone. Though Fanelia had been rebuilt, the pain went on and on. He knew what Zaibach was capable of. He had lived through it as a child. Since he had been in Van's service for the past year, he also knew how well the king could brood.
He remembered hearing a tale once of a girl who had come from the Mystic Moon, helped to save Gaea and then went back home after he and the king had acknowledged their love for one another. He hated her because of the pain she doled out to Lord Van, simply by not being there. Deep in his heart he knew it wasn't her fault, it was just a result of fate. But fate be damned, all he wanted was for the sorrow to disappear from the land.
Just then, Delta heard a mew from behind him. He didn't have to look to know it was the pink haired cat girl he had become so familiar with. "So how is Lord Van today?" she inquired.
"He's been better," replied Delta.hazel eyes filling with compassion as he spoke.
"I see.well I suppose it's my job to cheer him up. It's almost as if I've taken the role of court jester as well as best friend."
Delta simply nodded. He had long harbored a secret love for her, but had kept that hidden. At his age he knew that service had to come before love. Merle was a friend to the king, one that he couldn't survive without. Merle ran into the throne room yelling "Van!" and vaulting herself into the arms of the king.
*~*~*~*
Elsewhere in Fanalia, the wise men gazed at the stars, trying to interpret their pattern and glow. In past years Van had made a point of all but eliminating anything that would predict fate, but the recent suspicions of Zaibach had everyone on edge. The citizens had a renewed interest in what was going to happen, and if they could do anything to change it.
Whether their actions were approved or not, the people knew that something must be done to avert any tragedy that could be prevented. Everyone had suffered through too much and they all wanted the harmony in the land to remain.
Sateele, the oldest of the three men, cautiously snaked his hand around a telescope before peering into the sky above. On this night the stars seemed brighter and the Mystic Moon seemed particularly close. Sateele then saw an astounding sight, three shooting stars swiftly move across the sky in rapid succession. Each one was brighter then the last. He moved away from the telescope and turned to find the other two men who were just as awestruck at the occurrence.