Much thanks to those who have reviewed so far.
A/N: This chapter is composed solely of the past encounters between Dilandau and Gin'iro over the years. It takes the story from where I left off right up to a moon, or month, before the events of the movie.
Chapter One: Past Encounters
25th White Moon – Gin'iro, aged 10
Kokkan Ten has come around again, and now Dilandau has been with us for over three weeks. I wonder if he likes it here, for the most part he remains by himself. In cases of other people I would take this to mean that he might be lonely but when it comes to Dilandau I think that he prefers to be alone, and so I do my best to respect that. But still the boy fascinates me like no other! I don't mean this is a girlish way, but I mean, he is but a few moons older than me, and yet he has seen the whole of Gaia, in his presence I feel like a baby, I want him to tell me about all that he has seen in this world, I want to know what he knows. And yet he spends time alone, most likely avoiding my constant questions and me. I want to know about him, but that doesn't mean that I like him; he's arrogant and believes that he is above everyone else on Gaia. There's something about him that really bothers me, I know that there is a secret about him that father knows and he isn't telling me.
I love this time of year, the land is covered with a thick blanket of snow and the great festivities of Kokkan Ten light up even the darkest and coldest nights. I could hardly sleep last night, and got up before the sun this morning. Daddy had the woodsman cut down the biggest fattest tree he could get his hands on and they placed it in the Great Hall. We decorated it in beautiful shades of red and gold, the sunlight streaming through the windows making it glitter and sparkle, the baubles looking like stars.
We spent the morning opening our gifts, all my brothers were present as well as Tira and her parents – the Princess that Rafe is betrothed to, and there were a few other guests – acquaintances of Daddy's. Once all the gifts had been opened and my father and the others had retired to the lounge room, I noticed that there was one box left under the tree. It was my gift to Dilandau, and he was not there. Bending down I pulled it out from under the tree, the loose needles showering down onto the floor and getting stuck in my hair. I left the room and made my way to his room, standing outside his door I fidgeted. He made me nervous, really he did. He had this way of looking right through me or past me that made me feel like I didn't exist and that I was beneath him. I knew that he scorned the sentimentality of the season and that he never let anyone get close to him. Maybe the gift was a mistake. I turned to go and my eyes dropped to the black box in my hands, it was quite small and tied with a red silk ribbon, since his arrival I had noticed that these were the colours he wore the most, I briefly wondered if they were his favourite colours. I hadn't really put a lot of thought into the gift, last week I was at the bazaar and I saw it. It reminded me of him the instant I saw it, and I had to buy it. I fingered the bow and sighed, this was a stupid idea. I quickly knocked on his door and waited silently.
"What?" He yelled through the thick wood, sounding gruff.
Taking a deep breath I composed myself and slowly turned the gold knob, the door smoothly opened and I stepped into his sunlit room. The door slid shut with a muffled click, yet Dilandau didn't look up from his seat at the edge of his bed. He was sitting with his sword across his lap; his hands were busy meticulously cleaning and sharpening the deadly length of silver. I swallowed, he was armed – this was such a bad idea! I fidgeted on my feet and then cleared my throat loudly; he stopped what he was doing and looked at me from the corner of his eyes under thick silver strands. Just give him the damn present!
Slowly his eyebrows came up as he silently watched me; I swallowed thickly and held the box out at arms length. "Here." I managed a smile that didn't look plastered on.
Frowning he took the box from me in one hand and removed his sword from his lap with his other. I instantly decided that I didn't want to be in the room when he opened it and I gave him a quick bow before turning and practically sprinting out of the room. The door swung shut behind me and I exhaled deeply before returning to the lounge.
25th White Moon – Dilandau, aged 10
I stared down at the small black box in my hand; my head came up just as the door shut behind the girl. I frowned and turned the box over in my hands, what the hell was she doing giving me a gift? I had already told her how much I hated this pointless season and yet she still insisted on dragging me into it. I put it down on my bed and picked up the sword and resumed sharpening it.
Less than a miet later the box was back in my hands as I stared at it, I began to wonder what a princess would buy for a training soldier. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I tugged the red bow apart, lifting the lid off I removed the thin layer of white tissue paper. Underneath silver glinted in the sunlight; I pulled it out and held it up to see what it was. A thick chain of silver hung between my fingers, beneath it a silver medallion swung like a pendulum. I reached out and held the smooth disc in my palm, the back was flat but the front brought a smirk to my face; inlaid in onyx into the silver was a dragon.
"A Black Dragon." I muttered to myself, fingering the clasp of the chain, momentarily I wondered where she got it. I slid it round my neck and hid it under my shirt; the metal was cold against my skin. Shaking my head it picked up my sword and continued to sharpen the edges.
3rd Green Moon – Dilandau, aged 10
This was absolutely ridiculous! Who the hell do these people think I am?! I do not dance! Standing in the dark corner I glowered at the old hag and made sure that everyone in the room knew just how little I was enjoying this. Across the room Gin'iro caught my eye, I glared at her and she matched my look with her own. We remained like that, glaring at each other as the old woman shuffled her weak brothers into the centre of the sunlit room.
"Come here milady." She motioned for the snotty little brat to stand by her side, never breaking our contact she stepped beside the older woman.
"Young Lord, come here." He bony fingers pointed at me as the flabby skin of her arm wobbled, I cringed and took a step backwards there was no way in hell I was dancing with Gin'. I was about to tell her exactly where she could shove it when I saw something move in the shadows of the room. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw King Korechika watching me, Folken's words echoed relentlessly in my head, damn what choice did I have? Taking a deep breath I grudgingly stepped forward and glared at the girl at her side, the curtains ruffled as the King left.
The daft hag smiled and clapped her hands together, "Thomas if you please." She called out to the boy at the piano, he started a waltz piece. The woman put her hands on Gin's shoulders and shoved her towards me; she dug her feet into the wooden floor and had to literally be shoved in my direction. She looked as happy with the situation as I did. She cringed as my hands were placed on her waist and our hands were clasped, Think I'm enjoying this you idiot?! Don't look at me like that!
"One, two three, one, two three." The bitch that got me into this counted as we circled round the room. Her brothers were dancing with other girls that I'd never seen before and they were all chatting politely whereas Gin' and I were wrapped in a stony silence. A smirk tugged at my lips as I thought of a way to liven things up a bit. A sharp pain shot across my foot and up my shin, I swallowed my yelp of pain and glared at the brat,
"Why you little-" I snarled, her eyes narrowed and she stepped back as I went to retaliate,
"I knew what you were thinking." She hissed at me, "Don't even try it."
I gripped her right hand in mine and crushed her smaller fingers, her face contorted in pain as I continued to squeeze,
"Watch yourself Princess, I am not a gentleman." I snarled down at her.
"I gathered that." She hissed back. As I continued to 'hold' her hand in mine a dark thought seeped into my brain, she was so fragile; with one hard tug I could break her little wrist and there was nothing that she could do to stop me. I felt a burning power hiss through my veins as I sneered at her, her dark eyes widened in pain becoming shiny with tears she would never shed in front of me. I could feel it pounding through my veins, the Power that Folken had trained me in, the Blood that coursed through my body, I was above this weak little girl, and everyone in this pathetic castle was my inferior. I would show them just who the powerful one was before I left.
"Let me go!" her voice barely above a pained hiss.
"Make me." I taunted, enjoying her pain.
"Fine!" A sharp pain seized my groin as her knee crushed what was there. I fell back and doubled over, clenching and unclenching my fists willing the unbelievable pain to go away. That bitch! I raised my head to see her cradling her hand against her chest,
"You are not a gentleman, Dilandau and I am not a lady." She spat at me.
Growling I slammed into her and we toppled to the floor, everyone in the room stopped to gawp at us as we rolled across the polished floor trying to inflict pain upon the other.
"Oh my!" the old woman watched us as she wrung her hands, "Oh by the Gods, what will the King think when he sees this?!"
The resounding ring of flesh against flesh echoed through the room as I slapped her, hard. Wide-eyed she held her reddening cheek and stared blankly at me.
"You bastard!" She screamed raising her fists, I caught them sneered down at her,
"Did you just figure that out?"
"I'll kill you!" Her voice rang in my ears as I continued to grin down at her.
I laughed, a cold hard laugh that made her cringe, "I very much doubt that."
"What is going on here?!" A voice thundered from the doorway, I jumped to my feet and dragged her with me. We turned to see her father standing glaring at us both, Gin' yanked her hand away from mine and examined the dark bruises that were rapidly forming.
"Nothing." She grated out.
Her father raised a brow at me and I smiled as innocently as I could, "We were just dancing, weren't we Gin'?" I asked placing my hand on her shoulder. She shrugged me off and glared at me from the corner of her eyes,
"Yes father, there's nothing to worry about."
He watched us both for a moment, his brow furrowing before he slowly nodded, "Very well." As he turned and left Gin' took a big step away from me and stomped out the door. Turning over my shoulder I smiled at the old woman,
"Well, that was fun wasn't it?" She said nothing as I left, Gin's brothers' and the girls continued to stare open-mouthed at me.
17th Green Moon – Gin'iro, aged 10
I hope the bastard contracts the Black Plague and dies a long and excruciating death. I hope that all his hair falls out and he'll be as bald as an egg, I giggled loudly at the thought of Dilandau running around with no hair. I bet he has a bumpy head too. The more I thought about it the harder I laughed. As my giggles subsided I wiped the tears of laughter from my eyes and carefully examined my right hand. The bruises have faded and the pain long since gone, but the memory isn't. The look that burned in his eyes as he twisted my hand is imprinted on my memory; I have never been so scared in my entire life. And he knew it, like a dog he could feel my fear as it turned my blood cold. Shaking my head I tried to rid myself of such thoughts, and I sat up from the hay bale. After breakfast I had snuck out of the castle and run across the fields to an old barn that was no longer used. I was up in the loft lying on a bale of hay with my legs dangling off the edge. As I continued to examine my hand I heard the door slam shut and loud cursing. I leaned over the edge to see Dilandau shaking the snow from his head, Bald as an egg Dilandau' I had to force that image out of my mind and I glared down at him,
"What are you doing here?" I snapped. His head whipped round and he glared at me,
"Trying to get away from you." He snarled at me, I allowed myself a slow smile and lay back down, my legs still dangling,
"Looks like you failed." I yelled down at him.
What was to follow that statement was something that I never really understood and certainly never forgot. At the sound of wood cracking I shot up, the platform beneath me shattered with an unholy force, I screamed as I fell from the roof. Splinters of wood showered me as I plummeted towards the concrete floor. I landed with a shuddering jolt onto a bale of hay; my body shook with fear and surprise. What the hell had happened? I lay there paralysed with shock; the soft noise of dark chuckling reached my ears as I raised my head,
"What was that?" I whispered.
Dilandau's smile as he looked down at me froze my blood; his eyes had a glint of bloodlust in them, his lips pulled back in a feral smirk. He crouched down beside me and leaned his elbows on his thighs,
"That was my power." He whispered.
"Your what?" I stammered. He stood and looked down at me,
"Would you like a demonstration?" He turned away from me and faced the large barn doors. The small hairs on the back of my neck pricked up as something dark stirred between us. The dust on the ground swirled outwards from Dilandau's feet and doors shattered as I screamed. The cold wind blew in, the blizzard of white flakes filling the barn. I fell off the bale and backed away from Dilandau. I couldn't believe it; I refused to believe what I saw. It was just the wind. Just the wind. He didn't do it. He crossed the wood littered ground, as I tried to get away from him; he hauled me to my feet and gripped my wrists in a vice-like grip. His eyes burned into mine as I wriggled, trying to free myself. With one swift jerk from him, I stopped wriggling and bit my lips, trying to hold back the tears that pricked at my eyes.
"That was my power little girl." He snarled, "And if you continue to irritate me, I'll do that to you." He threatened with a toss of his head in the direction of the now gaping hole in the wall of the barn. He threw me back to the ground and stormed out into the swirling blizzard. I dropped to my knees and the warm tears slid down my cheeks freezing in the cold. I shook with the cold and fear; it was the second time that he had made me fear from my life. Shakily getting to my feet I wiped at my cheeks and left the barn back to the safety of the castle.
I couldn't wait till Dilandau left my home.
1st Purple Moon – Dilandau, aged 10
Finally after several long and tedious moons of living in the same castle as that brat I can return to the Black Dragons. I was awoken rather rudely this morning by one of the servants, and told that Folken had ordered my return, and not a moment too soon.
I was standing next to my steed waiting for my escort to get his arse in gear. I didn't see the need for someone to nurse me on the journey back to the capital, but I got the feeling that Folken was doing it more for the protection of others. I smirked and checked the stirrups of the saddle. Turning over my shoulder I saw my bumbling escort snivelling up to the king. My eyes wandered to the figure at the king's side. Gin'iro glared at me and folded her arms; I flashed a horrible smile before mounting my stallion.
Finally the old fool tore himself away from the king and slowly hauled his fat body into the saddle. My steed pulled against the reins, desperate to stretch his legs and get into the plains, after being cooped up for so long I couldn't blame him.
"Until next time!" He yelled cheerily and I rolled my eyes. If I had my way, I'd never come back here again.
My steed tossed his head, wanting to run, kicking my heels in he broke out into a gallop. As I rode out of the gates I never once looked back.
13th Purple Moon, Gin'iro, aged 11
How many times will this go on? How many times will I be awoken by the howl of rage that rips through these halls? Why, for once, can't the Gods do me a favour and kill Rafe? I don't think I can handle it much longer. He hates me; I know that each and every time he looks at me he's contemplating a torturous death for me.
It's not my fault! I didn't ask to be heir to the throne; I didn't ask to have my hopes and dreams for the future to be ripped away from me! I don't want to be married off to some fool before my twentieth, and I sure as hell don't want to pop out sons just to provide another heir to the legacy.
And as if the Gods aren't quite satisfied that fool Dilandau is on his way back here. Great! I can't wait to have my life threatened by another idiot and have my fingers crushed. I think I might hide while he's here…No! Actually I won't; I'm not going to let him get the better of me…
20th Purple Moon, Dilandau, aged 12
Back again. I'm back in this backwater of a country with a stupid king and his irritating daughter. I keep thinking of ways to get out of this…maybe disappear for a few moons? As appealing as that is, if Folken heard about it he'd inflict pain on me. I hate it here, but it's not worth getting all my limbs broken.
I think I might be able to keep myself entertained by annoying the Princess…maybe test out some new skills on her too…
5th Yellow Moon – Gin'iro, aged 15
Today father took me to a tournament. It was a pretty sunny day, there were very little women there and as usual I was coddled by Daddy and had an entire squadron of guards around me at all times…well maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but sometimes that's what it feels like. They suffocate me! No matter where I go there will always be another behind me, they think that I can't see them. I'm not blind! Honestly, if I, a mere fifteen-year-old girl, can spot them from a near costa away, what hope do they have against any assassins?!
Kira put up her strongest objection to date when she heard that Daddy was taking me to the tournament, "A young Princess in amongst all those uncouth barbarians? Your Majesty please, I beg of you, you must reconsider!"
That woman! You'd think that I was a frail and pathetic china doll the way she 'wraps me in silk', sometimes I wish I could just run away from it all…sometimes I wish I could be one of those young maids that run about the castle, they have no one constantly on their tails tracking them down. Those girls are free to leave the castle grounds and go to parties…real parties not the stupid gatherings that as a Princess I'm forced to attend. But then I feel guilty for thinking in such a way, I am luckier than them in a way; I live in a large comfortable home, I have a loving family (well almost) and never go without food, or anything for that matter…in short I'm a spoilt ungrateful brat…and yet I yearn for freedom.
But I digress, today at the tournament Daddy and I were up in the balcony and I have to admit as much as I love to watch such events, this one was rather dull. That Allen Schezar, the Knight Caeli, the one that my father refers to as "The Great Ponce" was the strong favourite, at one point I heard the guards placing bets on how long it would take him to strike down his latest opponent. For a while I thought I would ungracefully fall asleep in my chair. However after the 'ponce' had defeated all his opponents I saw a familiar slash of silver in amongst the crowd of participants. I leaned so far over the edge of the balcony that Daddy grabbed the back folds of my gown to prevent me from falling off the edge. At first I didn't think that it was him, but then, who else on Gaia would have hair such a colour? And who else would have such an air of arrogance? When I asked Daddy if it was who I thought it was, he smiled in such a way that I felt uncomfortable and overly girlish. He said that it was, and the announcement confirmed it.
Dilandau Albatou.
How long has it been since I've seen him? Two years now, and yet the boy managed to leave a distinct impression on me. From then on I was glued to the floor of the arena, I watched each and every move, he defeated his enemies with a skill and speed that has never been seen before. As the last man fell to his blade he straightened and wiped the sheen of sweat from his brow, he sheathed his sword and strode over to the base of where we sat, bowing extravagantly he grinned darkly at my father, Daddy addressed him, but I didn't hear his words. I couldn't believe how much he had changed over the years! The last time I bid good riddance to him he was a fairly scrawny boy, now he stood before me dressed in full armour and there was a hint of his muscles under his uniform. I stared at Dilandau so long and hard that I almost bore a hole into him. Suddenly I became aware of crimson eyes staring straight back at me, I gulped and lost that polished surface that I have spent years in training to obtain, my cheeks went pink, any coherent words jammed somewhere between my brain and my vocal chords, the roof of my mouth going as dry as the deserts. Gods! I looked like a fool!
He bowed slightly, "Princess Gin'iro." He spoke smoothly and looked up at me under his silver bangs. For a moment I had no words, I couldn't remember his title!!
"Lord Albatou." I finally managed to utter, tilting my head down just a little, by the time my head came back up, he had turned and was marching back across the arena. The look upon Allen Schezar's face was priceless!
3rd Green Moon – Dilandau (18) & Gin'iro (17)
Exactly one moon before the Dragon War
Dilandau turned to the imposing Emperor of the Black Dragons and raised a silver brow,
"You want me to what?" He asked, incredulous.
Folken turned away from the window of the floating fortress and grinned at the young General. "You heard me Dilandau, it's all arranged, we're nearly there, and I'm sure after your absence Princess Gin'iro will be glad to see you."
Anger surged through him and he closed in on Folken, "I am not doing it!" He snarled. Folken lashed out with a telekinetic hand and gripped at the man's throat,
"You would do well to respect your elders Dilandau." He raged, "You forget who gave you your position as a Dragonslayer. You will do this, am I making myself clear?" Dark, mismatched eyes flashed angrily at Dilandau. He struggled against the tightening hold and glared at Folken, releasing a blow of his own, Folken stumbled back and Dilandau dropped to his feet. Rubbing his throat he glared at the older man, before he could react Folken used his powers to strike the silver-haired General. His head snapped to the side, blood running out his mouth,
"You will do it!" Folken's voice seething with a quiet, dangerous anger.
Rubbing his jaw Dilandau spun on his heel and stormed out the room, "Fine." He muttered angrily under his breath.
The floating fortress slowly lowered closer to the ground, long steel cables dropped from the sides and the men at the bottom secured them to the ground. Dilandau strode out of the hanger with his men at his heels. His blood red eyes narrowed sharply as he spotted the royal welcome. King Korechika straightened his collar and stepped forward to the General.
"Good to see you again, General Albatou." He reached his hand out to shake, and Dilandau's eyes dropped to his hand then rose again. He fixed the king with a cold look and folded his arms over his chest. Korechika raised a brow and let his hand fall back to his side, Gods he was a right arrogant little bastard. Turning his back on the boy the great king led the way to the mounts that waited to take them to the castle. Mounting his horse Dilandau sharply kicked the sides of the mount and pulled his stallion to the front of the royal assembly. Korechika shook his head and sucked a deep breath in through his clenched jaw. The procession wound its way through the hills towards the capital of Hadrian with Dilandau at the front, the King behind him and the Dragonslayers behind and the king's advisors brining up the rear.
Dilandau entered the castle before everyone else, his boots cracking off the polished marble floor. He looked positively livid, his brows angled down over his sharpened blood-red eyes. As he marched towards the throne room he was mulling over Folken's orders. He was not a…an escort for hire!
The young doormen before him quickly opened the doors and cringed at the look of unrestrained anger on his face.
Gin'iro looked up as the doors opened, and her lips curved into a small smile. She stepped down from the dais where her father's throne sat and patiently waited for Dilandau to make his way further into the room. He raised his head, watching the woman that was standing at the base of his throne. He frowned slightly as he got closer; she seemed so familiar yet he was fairly sure that he hadn't met her before. As he stopped a few feet before her recognition slapped him in the face. It's that little brat Gin'iro!
The youngest royal stood before him, the scrawny brat of two winters ago had blossomed into the young woman whose presence dominated the room. Her silvery-blue hair was twisted into a loose bun, wayward strands falling about her face and eyes. Her dark eyes glittered as her lips shifted into a reserved smile, taking a step forward she held her hand out to him and looked him right in the eye,
"General, it's been a long time since you have graced us with your presence." She smiled sweetly, her pleasant words laced with sarcasm.
Dilandau looked down at her hand and caught in his red gloved one,
"Princess." He grated out through his clenched teeth. He didn't kiss her hand and she hadn't expected him to, her gaze shifted past him as her father and his advisors strode into the room. Her father looked red in the face, she guessed from Dilandau's audacity and the fact that he had to run through the castle.
She removed her hand from his and smiled at her father, the king stopped beside Gin' and took her arm, "I see you've re-acquainted yourself with the General."
She smiled although she was glaring at Dilandau, "Of course, he is our guest after all."
Dilandau snorted loudly and folded his arms over his armoured chest. Gin' turned her head to the men that marched in, they were in uniform almost the same as Dilandau's yet they were in blue to his red. Dilandau turned his back to the royals and growled out some order to his fierce looking man-beast lieutenant. The insubordinate saluted then turned the others following him out in a rigid line.
He turned back to them and Gin' stepped forward, "If you'll follow me General, I'll take you to your chambers." Without waiting she turned with her dark dress swishing at her ankles as she quickly made her way out of the room. Dilandau turned and marched behind her, quickly catching up with her. They remained in silence as they walked shoulder-to-shoulder along the thick-carpeted halls. As they got to his door, Dilandau stepped past her and pushed the door open. She followed him in and watched as he surveyed the room. She frowned at him,
"What are you looking for?"
He turned over his shoulder, "The escape route." He stated in a flat, yet icy tone.
She raised her eyebrows, "Pity burst your bubble General Albatou; but I want you here as much as I want a hole in my head."
A lazy smirk turned up the corner of his lips, "Is that so, Princess?" There was a hint in his voice that told Gin' he wouldn't mind helping her along with that statement.
She gave him a rather acidic smile before turning away, "I'll see you tonight, General."
He grunted in response as she closed the door behind her.
"I'll get you for this Folken." He hissed under his breath.
Gin' looked at herself in the mirror and smoothed her hands over the soft fabric of the dress. Her seamstress had outdone herself this time. The dark purple silk fell in sleek lines down to the floor; swishing against the marble floors as she twirled in front of the mirror. The scooped neck showed off a bit more cleavage than was acceptable but Gin' didn't really mind. Her long hair had been piled on top of her head in loose curls, the silver tiara sat across her forehead, small-imbedded jewels sparkling in the candlelight. As her maid bustled around her she clasped the choker around her neck, the delicate platinum strands shifted against the soft skin of her neck and the amethyst stones glittered as she touched them gently with her manicured nails.
"Milady." A voice called from the doorway, Gin'iro turned,
"Yes?"
The maid came into the room and Gin' noted that she looked flustered and a little scared,
"The General is waiting for you Princess, and ma'am…he doesn't look happy."
Gin' rolled her dark eyes and pulled the black, fur-lined cloak around her shoulders,
"The General is never happy." She muttered.
Dilandau stood in the hall and scowled to himself. Typical, the woman was running late, he couldn't believe that Folken was forcing him to do this. Anger burned through his veins as he thought of Folken, his hand twitched, nearly rising to rub his bruised throat.
He knew why he was doing this.
The sounds of a heavy wooden door scraping across the marble floor caused him to raise his head.
"Princess Gin'iro." The boy announced before silently closing the door behind the Princess. Gin' crossed the floor of the Great Hall and stopped a few feet short of the General. Not bothering to take in her appearance, Dilandau turned round and strode out the opposite end of the hall. Scowling under her cowl, Gin followed him, having to almost run to keep up with the General's lengthy strides.
The journey from the palace to the tournament was a quiet affair. Gin' kept her hood up and stared blankly out the window at the winter landscape as it drifted by in flashes of white and black. Dilandau sat in the carriage across from her. He was uncomfortable travelling in this stuffy contraption; he'd much rather be galloping on his warhorse, but this had been another of Folken's demands. His crimson eyes rose to the hooded figure across from him. She was going out of her way to ignore him, never looking or speaking to him. Not that he cared, the less contact the better as far as he was concerned. As soon as this night was over he was leaving Hadrian and never coming back again.
As the carriage came to a juddering stop, Dilandau jumped out and scornfully eyed the people that milled outside the estate. Behind him Gin' cleared her throat irritably and he glanced over his shoulder,
"What? Do you want me to carry you out or something?" He sneered, one silver eyebrow raised at her frown.
"For once Dilandau, could you please just make things easy?" Her tone was terse as she fixed her dark eyes on the soldier. Dilandau grimaced and held a gloved hand out to her, she took it and stepped out of the carriage, the thick folds of her dress gripped in the other. As they made their way into the estate to watch the tournament, Dilandau offered Gin' his arm. Looking up at him with barely concealed surprise and suspicion she linked her arm through his, resting her gloved hand on his armoured forearm.
Leaning close to her ear he softly breathed, "I never make things easy, Princess."
Gin' fidgeted in her seat in the royal box and with bored eyes scanned the audience for anything interesting. The tournament was turning out to be tedious; the whole affair was so…dignified. The participants all looked like they were trying out for ballet classes or were Caeli Knights in training. Letting out a loud sigh she turned to her right and saw that the General was as impressed as her. His arm rested on the chair with his armoured fist pressed to his mouth. One eyebrow was slightly raised as he regarded the fight before him with nothing short of disgust. Gin' let out another sigh and returned her gaze to the fight. She must have missed the last fight, as the crowd politely clapped and the swordsmen bowed. Some girls threw flowers down to the men and Gin' rolled her eyes as she noticed one man stand out from the rest.
"Allen Schezar." She muttered under her breath, Dilandau grunted and rose to his feet.
The General made his way down the winding staircase to the main hall in front of the Princess of Hadrian. He smirked as her soft cursing at her shoes caused a few of the lesser nobles' heads to turn. Blocking their escape to the door was the lady of the house. Geneva Wilton clasped her heavily jewelled hands together at the sight of the heir to the throne and quickly crossed over to them.
"Oh no…" Gin'iro stepped behind the taller General and hoped that Lady Wilton would pass her by.
No such luck.
"Princess Gin'iro!" Gin' cringed as Dilandau moved to the side, and she shot him a non too impressed glare from the corner of her eyes, one which he retorted to with a slow smirk.
"Lady Wilton." Gin' greeted as the older woman curtseyed low to the floor and dropped her head.
"I trust you enjoyed the tournament Milady?"
Gin' cleared her throat and put on a polite, yet fake, smile. "Of course, it was most…entertaining."
Lady Wilton smiled triumphantly, glad to have pleased royalty, something that Gin' cynically thought would be rehashed again and again at every single social event and tea party for several moons to come.
Gin' found her hand enwrapped with the elder woman's as she was directed towards a huddle of well dressed and polished women. In the centre she could see a ribbon of gold and the ruffles of a pristine white shirt. Oh no-no-no! Not Schezar, oh Gods anything but this!
As Lady Wilton dragged the unwilling royal over to the Knight Caeli, she turned back to the General and spoke to him in a tone that would most likely bring about her death.
"Of course, Princess your guard is more than welcome to refresh himself…in the servants' kitchen." Her small eyes travelled across his armour, coming to a halt at his sword before turning back to the Princess.
Dilandau snarled and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. Gin' pulled her hand away and gave the old woman a cold look,
"Lady Wilton, may I introduce you to General Dilandau Albatou, the General of the Black Dragon's elite cavalry unit, and a good friend of the King." She was lying about the last part and they both knew it, but still it was worth it to see the look on the old bat's face as the colour visibly drained and she nervously wrung her hands.
"General Albatou please forgive me, I did not know. Why of course you're not a mere guard, just looking at your attire, one could see that you are a man of high status." She nervously babbled, bowing to the seething General. Dilandau glared down at her with burning crimson eyes, in the long silence that followed, Geneva began to squirm under his glare and paled to a point where she too could have been an albino.
Gin' couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the older woman and stepped between the two, ignoring the irritation of the General.
"Lady Wilton, it has been a pleasure to meet you again, but alas the King doesn't like his youngest to be out so late, and the General must leave tomorrow."
Lady Wilton bowed as Gin' smiled sweetly and gave Dilandau a look as she turned. Before he followed her out the door, he gave the old woman one last glare then strode out the room.
The ride back to the palace, Gin' blatantly ignored Dilandau and stared angrily out at the black night. He lets his eyes come to a rest on the gems that rested above her pulse. He could see them move and glitter in the dim light with each breath she took. His breath began to quicken as he became fixated on the pulse that throbbed just beneath the creamy skin of her neck. Dilandau's temperature rose as his heart pounded in his ears, clenching his fists he willed himself to look away. His heart was running at a mile a minute as he watched her chest heave with each breath. Clenching his jaw, he drew all his will power together and pulled his eyes away to find himself staring back at burning purple pools. Gin's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked with Dilandau's crimson eyes. His head was swimming, as all he could see was her eyes that bore a hole into him, they were so dark, almost black in the light.
They were so close now, the space of mere inches between their lips filled with their quick breathing. His gaze dropped to her lips, and then lazily rose back to her unblinking eyes. Gin' tried to find her voice, and break whatever spell was being held over them, yet she couldn't. All she could see was his entrancing eyes, she watched as his pupils expanded, the black swallowing crimson irises. His eyes held a fire that burned her to the core and caused a heat to rise to her pale cheeks. Everything around them faded, as all she could feel was his breath as it tingled across her lips.
Outside the driver tried to control the horses as they cantered over the frozen and rocky ground, the front horse stumbled over a large rock and the wheels of the carriage bounced, causing the carriage to wobble to the side.
Gin's eyelids slowly dropped as Dilandau's face came ever closer to hers, the heat of his breath burning her lips and sending tingles up her spine as she felt his lips barley graze hers.
Suddenly the carriage jolted to the side and her eyes flew open. For a split-miet she and Dilandau stared at each other. Her eyes slowly widening as she realised what they had come so close to doing. He blinked, his pupils sharply shrinking and sat back from, now glaring darkly at her his eyes no longer burning as before, but were now ice-cold. Another shiver crawled up her spine, but for an entirely different reason.
Swallowing she sat back and resumed staring out the window at the nearing castle, her mind spinning at the questions that barraged her mind. What would have happened if the carriage hadn't wobbled like that?
To be continued…
Notes: 1) 'Kokkan Ten' very loosely means 'depth of winter celebration' (in other words; Christmas), I apologise for my terrible Japanese. 2) White Moon is December in our calendar – or at least here it is .
Edited 30/05/04