Dangerous Thoughts, Part 2 By Narya1

Part 2

"He is ill," said Folken to an image of a bald, spectacled sorcerer on the display screen.

"A problem that not even Strategos Folken can solve? That is rare," baited Morgreth.

It was no secret that Morgreth despised Folken for being Dornkirk's top official. It was a rank that Morgreth proudly held until the young upstart created the stealth mechanism for Zaibach's flying fortresses and guymelefs.

"You were responsible for his training, Morgreth," Folken demurred. "I would hate to see his behavior endanger Emperor Dornkirk's plans."

The sorcerer frowned and his eyes narrowed. "Do you know what triggered this behavior?"

"Aside from his insatiate desire to burn everything? No."

"Very well," replied Morgreth. "I must speak with General Adelphos. Then I will come to retrieve Dilandau. The twins will come with me and disperse at the coordinates that you gave to them."

"Excellent," replied Folken.

The sorcerer's image faded from the screen

[Later that evening]

The door to Folken's observatory opened. "Lord F-folken?"

Folken came out of his meditation with a sigh. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw Dilandau's silhouette in the doorway.

"I was not to be disturbed," replied Folken with a hint of irritation.

"I-I'm sorry Lord Folken, but I need your help."

"Come."

The door closed and Dilandau's heels clicked unsteadily on the tile floor. He spotted Folken and knelt in front of him. "There is a sorcerer who is trying to take me away."

"You do realize that I was a sorcerer, once, don't you? What makes you think that I won't turn you over to another sorcerer?"

"You're nicer than they are" replied the youth.

"I'm touched," Folken replied, dryly.

"T-there is something about him that's not right, Folken. Please don't leave me alone with that sorcerer!"

"You are not well, Dilandau," replied Folken. "He will help you." Folken then noticed that the boy was shaking.

"Don't...leave me...alone."

"Dilandau?" queried Folken.

The boy's eyes widened and he gripped his head. "NO! Ahhhhh! F-folken!" He seized the hem of Folken's robe. "Please don't leave me with that sorcerer!"

He looked down at him, and for a brief instant, Dilandau looked like a frightened animal. But who frightened him? Folken had never abused the boy. He had once heard of rumors about how the sorcerers performed fate alteration experiments on children. Could it be that Dilandau had been one of those children?

His left hand gently gripped the boy's shoulders. "Dilandau," he spoke calmly. "I need you to trust me. What are you seeing in your mind?"

The boy looked up. "I-I think it's me as a child. I'm in a huge room by myself, a-and...n-nooo!" he rolled on the floor.

The door opened again. "Lord Folken?" hissed a voice.

"Yes, Morgreth?"

"We have...ah, there he is!" He approached Dilandau.

Dilandau scooted back on his heels to hide behind Folken. The reaction was not lost on Strategos.

"Please Folken. No," he whimpered.

"I'm sorry, Dilandau," whispered Folken.

"Come along," replied Morgreth, trying to sound helpful.

Dilandau's nails hooked into Folken's robe. "Dilandau. You will go with Morgreth," ordered Folken.

The boy looked up at him as if he had been betrayed.

"A little something to help you relax," replied Morgreth as he seized Dilandau's arm and injected a tranquillizer. Another sorcerer entered. Folken recognized him to be Zaleyth. "Take him," ordered Morgreth. "It should keep him unconscious...at least until we board the Icarus. "Pardon our intrusion, Lord Folken," replied Zaleyth. "We will hopefully have the boy returned to you in two days."

Folken watched as the two men left with Dilandau.

//Suppose that had been Van?//

Folken's eyes widened.

//Suppose you had succeeded in slaying the dragon and the madoushi kidnapped Van? Suppose that boy groveling in front of you was what was left of your own brother?//

He clenched his eyes shut. //No! That's not possible! //

Altering a person's physical fate, mind wipes, personality shifts. How could that be? It was mere speculation that lacked substantial proof. A cold lump formed in Folken's stomach. Was it possible that Dilandau was...? No. He had no evidence for it. Yet. The only way he could silent his doubts was to see the truth with his own eyes.

To Be Continued