"I thought you wanted to talk to us alone?" Naria hissed.
"Yeah," Eriya spat, "Why is she here?"
Adrina and Folken sat side by side in on of the many rooms in the floating fortress. They had just finished breakfast and Folken had summoned Naria and Eriya, who now knelt in front of him, to the room. The anger was evident on their faces when they saw that Adrina was also part of their meeting.
"Lady Adrina goes where I go," Folken reminded, "the two of you are going to have to get used to that."
Adrina smiled at the two sisters, who bristled angrily.
"Now," Folken continued, "tell me about your stay in Zaibach. Did it go well?"
"Yes," Eriya replied, "All of our training was completed successfully."
"Very good girls," Folken praised.
"Could you tell us what happened to the sorcerers that accompanied us here?" Naria asked.
"They've journeyed here to take Dilandau back with them," Folken informed, "For some reason, they seem to hate me. I'm not really sure why."
"It's because they're jealous of you, Lord Folken," Eriya purred.
Adrina rolled her eyes.
"You know," Naria started, "I simply hate all sorcerers."
"Enough Naria," Folken chided, "You mustn't say such things about sorcerers. You see, I was one myself for a time."
Both twins rushed forward and wrapped their arms around Folken's legs. "Please forgive us," they begged in unison.
Adrina scoffed loudly but the sisters ignored her.
"Oh Lord Folken," Eriya looked up at him, "We missed you!"
"Thinking of the day we would see you again was what sustained us," Naria added.
"I'm sorry you two," Folken apologized, "You're so strong. If only I possessed your strength."
Adrina scowled at the twins. Folken had left her before he even knew them and she didn't throw herself at his feet and tell him how much she missed him. She waited by the tree every day and probably still would be if Fanelia hadn't been attacked, but she had enough pride and dignity not to pour her soul out to him every time he spoke to her. Seeing his reaction to what the sisters had said made her think maybe she should have.
"We understand," Eriya assured.
"Our bodies and our souls are yours, Lord Folken," Naria offered.
It took all the will power she possessed not to peel both of those little cat hussies off of Folken and show them how little their training meant when it came down to a real fight. Adrina saw Folken look over at her and she stared right back, her eyes reflecting the emotions she was feeling. She was surprised when he turned back to the twins.
"That's enough you two," Folken insisted, "I need neither your bodies nor your souls. I only need your loyalty."
"But Lord Folken..." Naria began.
"I must meet with Emperor Dornkirk soon," Folken interrupted, "The two of you may do as you wish until I need you." He turned to the woman sitting next to him. "Come Adrina."
The two of them stood up and exited the room, leaving two stunned cat sisters behind. Folken hurried down the hallways so fast that Adrina could barely keep up. They reached the communication room and Folken stopped outside the door.
"This won't take long," Folken told her and disappeared into the dark room. Adrina sighed and leaned up against the wall to wait.
No more than two minutes had gone by when Naria and Eriya approached Adrina. "Where's Lord Folken?" they demanded.
"Meeting with Emperor Dornkirk," Adrina answered.
"Listen, Lady Adrina," Naria growled, "We've known Lord Folken for nine years now and if you think we're gonna let you steal him away from us, you're wrong."
"Yeah," Eriya agreed, "We've been training in Zaibach for the past four years and now it's our time to be by Lord Folken's side."
"Listen, cat girls," Adrina seethed, "I've known Folken since the day I was born. We grew up together until he left and if you think I'm just gonna step aside and let you two have him, you're crazy."
Both sisters' eyes widened as Adrina spoke.
"You're Adrina from Fanelia?" Eriya asked.
"Yes," Adrina replied, confused, "Why?"
The sisters glanced at each other and then back at Adrina. Their shocked expressions had returned to contempt.
"Just stay out of our way," Naria spat and the two hurried off down the hallway. Adrina watched them go and then resumed waiting.
Ten minutes later, Folken emerged from the communication room. "They are heading to the Mystic Valley."
Adrina's brow wrinkled in confusion. "The Mystic Valley? I thought that was just a legend."
"So do most people," Folken agreed, "But according to Emperor Dornkirk, it truly does exist."
"Why are they going to the Mystic Valley?" Adrina questioned.
"The only way to know for sure is to follow them there," Folken replied. Adrina nodded and the two of them hurried to the control room.
"Set a course for the Mystic Valley," Folken ordered.
The soldiers at the controls looked confused at first, then shouted "Yes sir!"
"We need to get there as quickly as possible," Folken continued, "If we arrive too late, the Crusade will already be gone." He turned to Adrina. "Have you seen Naria and Eriya?"
"They were headed towards their rooms last time I saw them," Adrina offered.
"Call them and tell them to get here at once," Folken said. The soldiers pushed buttons on their consoles and called the twins. A minute later, the control room door burst open and the twins entered panting. Adrina figured they must've run all the way there and rolled her eyes.
"We're here Lord Folken," Eriya announced.
"What is it you wish of us?" Naria inquired.
"We are heading to the Mystic Valley," Folken told them, "When we arrive, the two of you will bring back the Escaflowne along with my brother."
"Yes, Lord Folken," they agreed simultaneously.
"Good," Folken nodded, "Go to the hangar and wait there."
"Yes Lord Folken." The two of them reluctantly left the control room. After they were gone, Folken and Adrina walked onto the platform to wait for word that they had reached the Mystic Valley.
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The Vione hovered motionless, waiting for the arrival of the Crusade. Somehow the Zaibach floating fortress had beaten the Asturian levi-ship to their destination and now they stood waiting. As they looked on, the Crusade emerged from the thick clouds directly in front of them.
"Asturian skiff spotted!" The soldiers informed.
"Good," Folken stated, "Naria, Eriya, do you read me?"
"We read you Lord Folken," Naria's voice floated out of the speaker, "and we're ready to go."
"We are prepared to bring back your brother," Eriya assured.
"I'm counting on you," Folken told them.
The hangar doors were opened and the twin guymelefs exited quickly. Adrina saw them rocket away from the floating fortress and shoot towards the Crusade. They angled upward, then plummeted down towards the Crusade, forcing them down as well.
"Oh Van," Folken spoke, "what do wish to see in the Mystic Valley?"
Adrina looked up at Folken then back out the window. Suddenly, a blue light surrounded the Crusade. She watched in amazement as the light extended up into the sky, catching the sisters in it's path and throwing them aside. Where the light ascended into the sky, a large, black void opened.
"What is it?" Adrina questioned and shielded her eyes with her hands from the intense glare.
"The gate of Atlantis," Folken murmured.
"Sister," one of the twins hissed over the speaker, "What should we do?"
"Stand guard there, you two," Folken ordered.
"Lord Folken?"
"There is absolutely no entrance to the Mystic Valley," Folken continued, "no such entrance exists."
Adrina glance at Folken, confused by his words. He just said that the black hole was the gate of Atlantis, now he was saying it didn't exist. She looked back just in time to see the Crusade disappear into the gate.
"The Crusade went in!" Adrina exclaimed, "Are they crazy?"
"I don't think they had much say in the matter," Folken said.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Adrina asked.
"I don't know," Folken admitted.
"I hope they can make it back," Adrina commented. Her eyes were locked on the void where the Crusade had disappeared. Please be careful, she prayed.
"That thing looks dangerous," Eriya's voice floated from the speaker.
"I suppose so," Naria agreed, "You want to give it a try?"
"Look!" Adrina pointed, "They're going in!" The twins' guymelefs rocketed towards the black gate.
"It's too dangerous!" Folken insisted. "Stop! Both of you!"
"Don't worry," Naria consoled, "we're always very lucky."
"That's right!" Eriya added, "we'll bring back your brother for you!"
"You two are crazy!" Adrina shouted, "don't go in there!"
The sisters ignored both of their requests and disappeared into the void in a flash of blue light. After they could no longer be seen, the gate light began to pulsate and appeared unstable.
"Are you receiving any transmission from them?" Folken demanded.
"No," the soldier answered, "all we're getting is static."
Their gazes were drawn back to the gate as the instability increased.
"No," Folken breathed, "what's happening?"
"The gate," Adrina declared, "it's cracking!"
"No!" Folken anguished. The black void turned to rainbow swirls, then exploded.
"No!" Adrina cried.
"Incoming shockwave," a soldier deadpanned.
"Van!" Folken called.
The light from the explosion was so bright, Adrina turned away from the window. The explosion reached the floating fortress, sending it spiraling backwards. Adrina lost her footing and pitched forward. She was stopped by Folken's left arm wrapping around her waist. She threw her arms around him and held on tightly as the fortress rolled and swayed with the shockwave.
After what seemed like an eternity, the floating fortress steadied and finally stopped completely. Once she got her balance, Adrina let go of Folken and he did the same.
"Are you all right?" Folken questioned.
"Yes," Adrina assured, "are you?"
Folken nodded, then turned to the soldiers who were situating themselves. "Damage report!"
"There doesn't appear to be any damage," a soldier replied.
"Lord Folken."
The sudden voice from the speaker startled them all.
"Naria, Eriya, are you all right?" Folken inquired.
"We're fine," Naria assured.
"We told you we're lucky," Eriya added.
"What about my brother?" Folken continued.
"We didn't capture him yet," Naria reported, "but we can see him and the others right now."
"Then they are all right?" Folken confirmed.
"Yes," Eriya answered this time, "should we attack?"
"Yes," Folken said.
"Let's go." The sister's guymelefs took off from the ground and sped on towards the spot where Escaflowne and the others were. Suddenly, a light surrounded Escaflowne and it disappeared.
"What?!" Eriya exclaimed.
"What happened?" Naria asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like it," Folken told them, return to the floating fortress immediately.
"Yes, Lord Folken." The twin guymelefs came back and disappeared from view as they entered the hangar.
"Where do you think they went?" Adrina motioned towards the few sparkling particles that were the only remnants of the pillar of light that took Escaflowne.
"I don't know," Folken confessed, "but there is nothing we can do about it."
Adrina nodded and fell silent. She was worried about Van, who she assumed was still in Escaflowne, and anyone else who might've been caught up in the light. Had Merle gone too? What about Hitomi or Allen? More importantly, where had they gone? The worst-case scenario was that they had gone somewhere not on Gaea. If that was the case, Adrina hoped they could get back safely.
"Lord Folken!"
Adrina turned just in time to see the twins enter the control room and throw themselves at Folken's feet. Here we go again, Adrina thought.
"Oh Lord Folken," Eriya started, "When we saw the shockwave hit the fortress, we were so scared for you!"
"We were so ashamed because we weren't here to help you!" Naria added.
"Don't be," Folken smiled, "I'm fine and I'm glad to see the two of you are all right as well. No one was injured."
"I guess that's a good thing." Naria narrowed her eyes and glared at Adrina.
Not about to let the opportunity pass by, Adrina smiled. "It's all thanks to Folken that I'm all right. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close while the fortress was being flung about."
Both sisters bristled and looked as if they would pounce on Adrina at any moment. Their eyes became mere slits and they bared their teeth while growling low in their throats. Adrina was not the least bit frightened. She had dealt with Merle in this same disposition many times. Adrina had a sudden thought. What was it about the Fanel men that drew the cat girls to them? She suddenly had the feeling that Folken was staring at her. She looked up and saw she was right. Even though his face was emotionless, Folken's eyes glinted with laughter. He thought what she'd said to Naria and Eriya was funny! He saw her eyes decipher his emotions and he turned away quickly.
"I am glad the two are all right," Folken repeated, "However, your blatant disregard fro my orders troubles me."
"Lord Folken," Eriya began, her eyes wide, "we were just trying to bring back you brother like you asked us to!"
"We didn't mean to disobey your orders," Naria continued, "but we thought that capturing the dragon was first priority."
"Not when your safety is involved," Folken told them, "Next time I give an order, you follow it without question. Understood?"
"Yes Lord Folken," they mumbled in unison.
"Good, now go," Folken ordered, "I have things to take care of."
The sisters glanced sadly up at Folken, then slunk away. Adrina thought it was funny at first, but once she thought about it, she felt sorry for them. If Folken had talked to her the way he had just talked to them, she would be devastated.
"Lord Folken!" a soldier barked, "incoming transmission from Zaibach!"
"What does it say?" Folken inquired.
"Emperor Dornkirk has captured the dragon!" the soldier relayed. Folken and Adrina's undivided attention was on the soldier as he continued. "Also captured were the girl from the Mystic Moon Hitomi Kanzaki, Allen Schezar of Asturia and the Escaflowne. Emperor Dornkirk requests and audience with you immediately and wants the Vione to return to the capital, post haste. End transmission."
"Set a course for the capital," Folken ordered, already on his way out the door, "I'll go meet with Emperor Dornkirk."
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"We are nearing the capital!" A soldier informed.
Night had just blanketed the land as the soldier made the announcement to Folken and Adrina, who were standing in the control room. On the distant horizon, Adrina could just barely make out faint lights that she assumed was the capital of Zaibach. Adrina had never been to Zaibach and had no idea what to expect. Needless to say, she was very nervous.
As they got closer to the capital, the lights became more definite and recognizable. As she watched and worried about what Zaibach would hold for her, a green lighted object rocketed towards them from the city.
"What's that?" Adrina asked and pointed.
"Object closing in from the direction of the capital," a soldier reported, "speed is unusual. Be on alert."
The object got close very quickly. It was Adrina who recognized it first.
"It's Escaflowne!" she exclaimed.
As the white dragon shot past the floating fortress, Adrina got a clear look at the passengers. Van, Hitomi and Allen had all escaped and seemed to be unharmed. After the Escaflowne had disappeared into the night, the soldier spoke again.
"Incoming message from Zaibach," he said, "the prisoners have escaped. Continue to the capital as planned. End transmission."
Folken said nothing as they approached the lights of the capital city.
"Yeah," Eriya spat, "Why is she here?"
Adrina and Folken sat side by side in on of the many rooms in the floating fortress. They had just finished breakfast and Folken had summoned Naria and Eriya, who now knelt in front of him, to the room. The anger was evident on their faces when they saw that Adrina was also part of their meeting.
"Lady Adrina goes where I go," Folken reminded, "the two of you are going to have to get used to that."
Adrina smiled at the two sisters, who bristled angrily.
"Now," Folken continued, "tell me about your stay in Zaibach. Did it go well?"
"Yes," Eriya replied, "All of our training was completed successfully."
"Very good girls," Folken praised.
"Could you tell us what happened to the sorcerers that accompanied us here?" Naria asked.
"They've journeyed here to take Dilandau back with them," Folken informed, "For some reason, they seem to hate me. I'm not really sure why."
"It's because they're jealous of you, Lord Folken," Eriya purred.
Adrina rolled her eyes.
"You know," Naria started, "I simply hate all sorcerers."
"Enough Naria," Folken chided, "You mustn't say such things about sorcerers. You see, I was one myself for a time."
Both twins rushed forward and wrapped their arms around Folken's legs. "Please forgive us," they begged in unison.
Adrina scoffed loudly but the sisters ignored her.
"Oh Lord Folken," Eriya looked up at him, "We missed you!"
"Thinking of the day we would see you again was what sustained us," Naria added.
"I'm sorry you two," Folken apologized, "You're so strong. If only I possessed your strength."
Adrina scowled at the twins. Folken had left her before he even knew them and she didn't throw herself at his feet and tell him how much she missed him. She waited by the tree every day and probably still would be if Fanelia hadn't been attacked, but she had enough pride and dignity not to pour her soul out to him every time he spoke to her. Seeing his reaction to what the sisters had said made her think maybe she should have.
"We understand," Eriya assured.
"Our bodies and our souls are yours, Lord Folken," Naria offered.
It took all the will power she possessed not to peel both of those little cat hussies off of Folken and show them how little their training meant when it came down to a real fight. Adrina saw Folken look over at her and she stared right back, her eyes reflecting the emotions she was feeling. She was surprised when he turned back to the twins.
"That's enough you two," Folken insisted, "I need neither your bodies nor your souls. I only need your loyalty."
"But Lord Folken..." Naria began.
"I must meet with Emperor Dornkirk soon," Folken interrupted, "The two of you may do as you wish until I need you." He turned to the woman sitting next to him. "Come Adrina."
The two of them stood up and exited the room, leaving two stunned cat sisters behind. Folken hurried down the hallways so fast that Adrina could barely keep up. They reached the communication room and Folken stopped outside the door.
"This won't take long," Folken told her and disappeared into the dark room. Adrina sighed and leaned up against the wall to wait.
No more than two minutes had gone by when Naria and Eriya approached Adrina. "Where's Lord Folken?" they demanded.
"Meeting with Emperor Dornkirk," Adrina answered.
"Listen, Lady Adrina," Naria growled, "We've known Lord Folken for nine years now and if you think we're gonna let you steal him away from us, you're wrong."
"Yeah," Eriya agreed, "We've been training in Zaibach for the past four years and now it's our time to be by Lord Folken's side."
"Listen, cat girls," Adrina seethed, "I've known Folken since the day I was born. We grew up together until he left and if you think I'm just gonna step aside and let you two have him, you're crazy."
Both sisters' eyes widened as Adrina spoke.
"You're Adrina from Fanelia?" Eriya asked.
"Yes," Adrina replied, confused, "Why?"
The sisters glanced at each other and then back at Adrina. Their shocked expressions had returned to contempt.
"Just stay out of our way," Naria spat and the two hurried off down the hallway. Adrina watched them go and then resumed waiting.
Ten minutes later, Folken emerged from the communication room. "They are heading to the Mystic Valley."
Adrina's brow wrinkled in confusion. "The Mystic Valley? I thought that was just a legend."
"So do most people," Folken agreed, "But according to Emperor Dornkirk, it truly does exist."
"Why are they going to the Mystic Valley?" Adrina questioned.
"The only way to know for sure is to follow them there," Folken replied. Adrina nodded and the two of them hurried to the control room.
"Set a course for the Mystic Valley," Folken ordered.
The soldiers at the controls looked confused at first, then shouted "Yes sir!"
"We need to get there as quickly as possible," Folken continued, "If we arrive too late, the Crusade will already be gone." He turned to Adrina. "Have you seen Naria and Eriya?"
"They were headed towards their rooms last time I saw them," Adrina offered.
"Call them and tell them to get here at once," Folken said. The soldiers pushed buttons on their consoles and called the twins. A minute later, the control room door burst open and the twins entered panting. Adrina figured they must've run all the way there and rolled her eyes.
"We're here Lord Folken," Eriya announced.
"What is it you wish of us?" Naria inquired.
"We are heading to the Mystic Valley," Folken told them, "When we arrive, the two of you will bring back the Escaflowne along with my brother."
"Yes, Lord Folken," they agreed simultaneously.
"Good," Folken nodded, "Go to the hangar and wait there."
"Yes Lord Folken." The two of them reluctantly left the control room. After they were gone, Folken and Adrina walked onto the platform to wait for word that they had reached the Mystic Valley.
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The Vione hovered motionless, waiting for the arrival of the Crusade. Somehow the Zaibach floating fortress had beaten the Asturian levi-ship to their destination and now they stood waiting. As they looked on, the Crusade emerged from the thick clouds directly in front of them.
"Asturian skiff spotted!" The soldiers informed.
"Good," Folken stated, "Naria, Eriya, do you read me?"
"We read you Lord Folken," Naria's voice floated out of the speaker, "and we're ready to go."
"We are prepared to bring back your brother," Eriya assured.
"I'm counting on you," Folken told them.
The hangar doors were opened and the twin guymelefs exited quickly. Adrina saw them rocket away from the floating fortress and shoot towards the Crusade. They angled upward, then plummeted down towards the Crusade, forcing them down as well.
"Oh Van," Folken spoke, "what do wish to see in the Mystic Valley?"
Adrina looked up at Folken then back out the window. Suddenly, a blue light surrounded the Crusade. She watched in amazement as the light extended up into the sky, catching the sisters in it's path and throwing them aside. Where the light ascended into the sky, a large, black void opened.
"What is it?" Adrina questioned and shielded her eyes with her hands from the intense glare.
"The gate of Atlantis," Folken murmured.
"Sister," one of the twins hissed over the speaker, "What should we do?"
"Stand guard there, you two," Folken ordered.
"Lord Folken?"
"There is absolutely no entrance to the Mystic Valley," Folken continued, "no such entrance exists."
Adrina glance at Folken, confused by his words. He just said that the black hole was the gate of Atlantis, now he was saying it didn't exist. She looked back just in time to see the Crusade disappear into the gate.
"The Crusade went in!" Adrina exclaimed, "Are they crazy?"
"I don't think they had much say in the matter," Folken said.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Adrina asked.
"I don't know," Folken admitted.
"I hope they can make it back," Adrina commented. Her eyes were locked on the void where the Crusade had disappeared. Please be careful, she prayed.
"That thing looks dangerous," Eriya's voice floated from the speaker.
"I suppose so," Naria agreed, "You want to give it a try?"
"Look!" Adrina pointed, "They're going in!" The twins' guymelefs rocketed towards the black gate.
"It's too dangerous!" Folken insisted. "Stop! Both of you!"
"Don't worry," Naria consoled, "we're always very lucky."
"That's right!" Eriya added, "we'll bring back your brother for you!"
"You two are crazy!" Adrina shouted, "don't go in there!"
The sisters ignored both of their requests and disappeared into the void in a flash of blue light. After they could no longer be seen, the gate light began to pulsate and appeared unstable.
"Are you receiving any transmission from them?" Folken demanded.
"No," the soldier answered, "all we're getting is static."
Their gazes were drawn back to the gate as the instability increased.
"No," Folken breathed, "what's happening?"
"The gate," Adrina declared, "it's cracking!"
"No!" Folken anguished. The black void turned to rainbow swirls, then exploded.
"No!" Adrina cried.
"Incoming shockwave," a soldier deadpanned.
"Van!" Folken called.
The light from the explosion was so bright, Adrina turned away from the window. The explosion reached the floating fortress, sending it spiraling backwards. Adrina lost her footing and pitched forward. She was stopped by Folken's left arm wrapping around her waist. She threw her arms around him and held on tightly as the fortress rolled and swayed with the shockwave.
After what seemed like an eternity, the floating fortress steadied and finally stopped completely. Once she got her balance, Adrina let go of Folken and he did the same.
"Are you all right?" Folken questioned.
"Yes," Adrina assured, "are you?"
Folken nodded, then turned to the soldiers who were situating themselves. "Damage report!"
"There doesn't appear to be any damage," a soldier replied.
"Lord Folken."
The sudden voice from the speaker startled them all.
"Naria, Eriya, are you all right?" Folken inquired.
"We're fine," Naria assured.
"We told you we're lucky," Eriya added.
"What about my brother?" Folken continued.
"We didn't capture him yet," Naria reported, "but we can see him and the others right now."
"Then they are all right?" Folken confirmed.
"Yes," Eriya answered this time, "should we attack?"
"Yes," Folken said.
"Let's go." The sister's guymelefs took off from the ground and sped on towards the spot where Escaflowne and the others were. Suddenly, a light surrounded Escaflowne and it disappeared.
"What?!" Eriya exclaimed.
"What happened?" Naria asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like it," Folken told them, return to the floating fortress immediately.
"Yes, Lord Folken." The twin guymelefs came back and disappeared from view as they entered the hangar.
"Where do you think they went?" Adrina motioned towards the few sparkling particles that were the only remnants of the pillar of light that took Escaflowne.
"I don't know," Folken confessed, "but there is nothing we can do about it."
Adrina nodded and fell silent. She was worried about Van, who she assumed was still in Escaflowne, and anyone else who might've been caught up in the light. Had Merle gone too? What about Hitomi or Allen? More importantly, where had they gone? The worst-case scenario was that they had gone somewhere not on Gaea. If that was the case, Adrina hoped they could get back safely.
"Lord Folken!"
Adrina turned just in time to see the twins enter the control room and throw themselves at Folken's feet. Here we go again, Adrina thought.
"Oh Lord Folken," Eriya started, "When we saw the shockwave hit the fortress, we were so scared for you!"
"We were so ashamed because we weren't here to help you!" Naria added.
"Don't be," Folken smiled, "I'm fine and I'm glad to see the two of you are all right as well. No one was injured."
"I guess that's a good thing." Naria narrowed her eyes and glared at Adrina.
Not about to let the opportunity pass by, Adrina smiled. "It's all thanks to Folken that I'm all right. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close while the fortress was being flung about."
Both sisters bristled and looked as if they would pounce on Adrina at any moment. Their eyes became mere slits and they bared their teeth while growling low in their throats. Adrina was not the least bit frightened. She had dealt with Merle in this same disposition many times. Adrina had a sudden thought. What was it about the Fanel men that drew the cat girls to them? She suddenly had the feeling that Folken was staring at her. She looked up and saw she was right. Even though his face was emotionless, Folken's eyes glinted with laughter. He thought what she'd said to Naria and Eriya was funny! He saw her eyes decipher his emotions and he turned away quickly.
"I am glad the two are all right," Folken repeated, "However, your blatant disregard fro my orders troubles me."
"Lord Folken," Eriya began, her eyes wide, "we were just trying to bring back you brother like you asked us to!"
"We didn't mean to disobey your orders," Naria continued, "but we thought that capturing the dragon was first priority."
"Not when your safety is involved," Folken told them, "Next time I give an order, you follow it without question. Understood?"
"Yes Lord Folken," they mumbled in unison.
"Good, now go," Folken ordered, "I have things to take care of."
The sisters glanced sadly up at Folken, then slunk away. Adrina thought it was funny at first, but once she thought about it, she felt sorry for them. If Folken had talked to her the way he had just talked to them, she would be devastated.
"Lord Folken!" a soldier barked, "incoming transmission from Zaibach!"
"What does it say?" Folken inquired.
"Emperor Dornkirk has captured the dragon!" the soldier relayed. Folken and Adrina's undivided attention was on the soldier as he continued. "Also captured were the girl from the Mystic Moon Hitomi Kanzaki, Allen Schezar of Asturia and the Escaflowne. Emperor Dornkirk requests and audience with you immediately and wants the Vione to return to the capital, post haste. End transmission."
"Set a course for the capital," Folken ordered, already on his way out the door, "I'll go meet with Emperor Dornkirk."
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"We are nearing the capital!" A soldier informed.
Night had just blanketed the land as the soldier made the announcement to Folken and Adrina, who were standing in the control room. On the distant horizon, Adrina could just barely make out faint lights that she assumed was the capital of Zaibach. Adrina had never been to Zaibach and had no idea what to expect. Needless to say, she was very nervous.
As they got closer to the capital, the lights became more definite and recognizable. As she watched and worried about what Zaibach would hold for her, a green lighted object rocketed towards them from the city.
"What's that?" Adrina asked and pointed.
"Object closing in from the direction of the capital," a soldier reported, "speed is unusual. Be on alert."
The object got close very quickly. It was Adrina who recognized it first.
"It's Escaflowne!" she exclaimed.
As the white dragon shot past the floating fortress, Adrina got a clear look at the passengers. Van, Hitomi and Allen had all escaped and seemed to be unharmed. After the Escaflowne had disappeared into the night, the soldier spoke again.
"Incoming message from Zaibach," he said, "the prisoners have escaped. Continue to the capital as planned. End transmission."
Folken said nothing as they approached the lights of the capital city.
