Shadows of the Past
Chapter 4
The angels Weep
Disclaimer – Escaflowne is not mine; the characters and story are the property of Bandai entertainment. The story and characters of 'The Descended Shadow' or 'Shadows of the Past' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum . Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at butchsvideostop@Tiscali.co.uk
- Visit the Home of 'Shadows of the Past' at www.butchsforum.co.uk.
- Character reference at the end of the Fan Fic. If you forget a character, remember.
………
Preparing herself she made her move and walked straight towards her attacker protecting the flame of the candle with her hand. If her attacker was surprised then they didn't show it as they just kept moving. So it was that a hooded Hitomi walked forwards toward what could quite possibly be her death while her shadowed attacker marched forward sword held up ready for the attack.
Hitomi was now mere feet from the still approaching figure and in a do or die bid she pulled back her hood and lifting up the bottom of her dress ran forwards ready to attack. As she ran her head was swirling with thoughts of all the people and places that she had known in her life which only served to strengthen her resolve even more. All of a sudden the attacker stopped and kept their sword down and thinking that this was their way of preparing to attack, Hitomi continued to run picking up more speed as she ran. Whenever Hitomi ran in and slashed with the candle the attacker ducked and reversed into the moonlight their sword held up now in defence. Unperturbed Hitomi ran in again ready to attack.
"No M'lady" the attacker told her.
Hitomi was suddenly confused and stopped running but now walked forward never dropping her guard.
"What did you say?" Hitomi said accusingly unwilling to drop her guard.
"I said No M'lady" and with this the figure backed into the light and pulled back their hood.
"Dawn!" Hitomi said in relief
"Yes it is me M'lady" Dawn answered, "and I will sheath my sword if you will sheath your candle"
"How do I know that you are the real Dawn" Hitomi asked accusingly.
"It's good that you should ask, as you don't" Dawn answered. Then placing his sword back in its sheath Dawn walked forward and Hitomi instantly backed away. He then placed it a few feet away from Hitomi and then backed away so that he was far away from the sword.
"Do you trust me now?" Dawn asked.
"No I don't" Hitomi answered sharply.
"Okay then. Well if you take the sword you will find that engraved into the pommel at the end of the hilt the symbol of the Fanelian Royal guard. Have a look" Dawn told her. Cautiously stepping forward Hitomi grabbed the sword and stepped back again and holding the candle near the pommel of the sword the symbol was as he said it would be.
"If M'lady now believes me. Could she please sheath her candle as a gesture of her trust" Dawn asked. Hitomi stared hard at him and then laughed and walking forward handed Dawn his sword back.
"I am sorry Dawn but I was taught never to give trust easily on my first trip to Gaia" Hitomi said.
"Don't apologise for my mistakes if you hadn't have removed your hood I would have killed you by now, believing you to be an assassin" Dawn replied.
"You mean that you thought that I was an assassin? Oh my that's what I thought you were" Hitomi answered.
And they both laughed at the thought and Hitomi felt her fear dissolve away. Then suddenly drawing his sword, which startled Hitomi, Dawn knelt down on one knee and presented his sword to her.
"M'lady Hitomi, I swear that I will protect you always no matter what happens and that my blade is yours to call upon when you are in need of them. This oath shall remain until either my death or I have been released from your service" Dawn told her. She smiled.
"I accept your offer but only on one condition Dawn Kosime" Hitomi answered
"What is this condition that you speak of M'lady" Dawn asked.
"That you lose the formalities. Don't call me M'Lady, just Hitomi" Hitomi replied.
"Agreed" Dawn replied.
"Then stand up Dawn Kosime" Hitomi said. Dawn rose and received his sword from Hitomi.
"Thank you… Hitomi. And I hope you can forgive me" Dawn said.
"Don't worry about it, what is passed is pasted. But believe it or not you helped me with something" Hitomi said as she moved over to the battlement walls where she had left her candle which was now only a small flame. Dawn followed her and leaned on the wall beside her.
"What do you mean?" Dawn asked.
"Well I guess that you know that I share an emotional bond with Von. It that allows us to feel really extreme emotions such as heightened panic, fear, and pain that the other is going through" Hitomi said.
"Yes, but how have I helped?" Dawn asked slightly puzzled.
"I have been learning how to suppress this link. Tonight when I thought you were an assassin. I was terrified but I didn't want to alarm Von without knowing for sure. Which then gave me the courage to fight back" Hitomi answered.
"Well, its comforting to know that something good came out of it" Dawn replied,
"Hitomi"
"Yes Dawn" Hitomi said.
"I also want to apologise for breaking your door in earlier and for Gaddes' manors, or lack of them during the meeting earlier" Dawn said.
"First you saved my life by coming when you did. Secondly Gaddes was just saying what many of us were thinking although it was annoying at times. However, it was still funny to see his face when you shot the arrow" Hitomi said.
"Well I know Von found it funny as I could see that he was trying hard to stop himself from laughing" Dawn said.
"You have no idea," Hitomi answered sarcastically.
"But it was quite funny wasn't it" Dawn replied. They laugh at the memory for a moment.
"Dawn" Hitomi asked.
"Yes" Dawn replied.
"How come you were out here so late" Hitomi asked curiously.
"Well there are just some nights when I don't feel very tired so some times I will sit and read a book while others I will come up here for a little bit if training in the peace and quiet. What about you are you out here because you couldn't get to sleep either" Dawn answered.
"Kind of. It happens to me sometimes and I just have to do something to help myself go back to sleep. Speaking of it, I actually feel quite tired now" Hitomi said.
"Yes I actually feel quite tired now myself. Come on I'll walk with you back to your room" Dawn replied.
"Oh thank you" Hitomi answered. Taking one last look out over the sleeping city Dawn and Hitomi made their way back down the flight of steps leading from the arch and then down through the many corridors until finally they reached Hitomi's bedroom.
"Well here I am again. Well good night Dawn and I will hopefully see you before you depart" Hitomi said.
"I'd say that there is good chance you will. Well goodnight Hitomi" Dawn answered and he began to walk back up the corridor.
"Dawn" Hitomi said.
"Yes" Dawn answered.
"I hope we can have another talk up on the battlements some time," Hitomi said.
"I would like that" Dawn replied and then walked back up the corridor. Hitomi closed her door and changing back into her nightdress once more climbed into bed and slept through the rest of the night.
………
The sun shone brightly the next morning as Alan made his way to the Levi-Ship landing bay. As he walked into the large storage area with its large hexagonal shaped roof that was now fully open in order to allow the ships to land. He was greeted by Reeden who walked steadily forwards to meet him.
"Good morning Reeden" Alan said.
"Morning Cap'n" Reeden answered cheerfully.
Once Reeden had caught up with Alan the two men walked together to the part of the docking area where the crusade was docked.
"You're very cheerful this morning Reeden" Alan asked.
"Can't help it cap'n, I had a good meal and now I feel like I could take on anything. The Fanelian's really know how to make a man welcome" Reeden replied.
"Oh good! Then you will have already ha the crusade ready to depart" Alan answered.
"Yip, capt'n, we're just going through the final phases now. I reckon we should be ready for departure in around another half hour or so"
"Wonderful! Well I'll go inform the others" Alan said.
"Okay cap'n" Reeden replied.
"By the way Reeden. Where's Gaddes this morning and I trust my sister Celena is already on board" Alan asked.
"She is and Gaddes said something about having to do an errand in town but he said that he would be back in time for departure" Reeden replied.
"Ok then as long as he is back in time as we can't afford to delay" Alan said. He then made his way over to the exit out of the hangar and this was a large arch that led out directly into the castle courtyard.
………
As the light streamed in through the open window, Dawn could hear the sounds of the people outside going about doing their daily business. He had slept longer than he had intended to although it didn't really matter, as he knew that Alan's ship the crusade would still be getting prepped for departure. Although he was still groggy from sleep whenever he got out of bed, he felt more awake after he had washed his face with the small cloth that was left for him along with a small basin of water. Then walking over to the large wardrobe that lay below his bed he pulled out the set of clothes that he normally wore.
These consisted of a pair of light green trousers that were worn along with a beige long sleeved shirt and then on his feet he wore a pair of long brown soft leather boots. Dawn also wore a pair of dark brown arm bracers that extended past the wrist to partly cover his fingers from the snap of the bowstring whenever he used his bow. Around his waist he wore a light brown leather belt that had a few pouches attached and these held tools such as a whetstone to keep his blade sharp. Along with other provisions such as a travel repair kit for his sword and a small medical kit that he used to heal any wounds suffered in a battle. Attached to this belt were Dawn's dagger, which was stored in its sheath on the front right side of his belt and his sword, which he kept on the left hand side of his belt, as he was right handed. Then went on a long brown hooded cloak that stopped just above his ankle and was clasped at the neck by a small round brooch, which had particular personal value to him.
The reason Dawn wore these clothes was because they were what he felt most comfortable in as he did not like to wear body armour as he found it too heavy and cumbersome and restricted his natural movement and fighting ability. Secondly Dawn favoured silence and stealth and the colour of his clothes meant that he could blend into the shadows and into most environments without drawing too much attention to himself. The final item that Dawn put on was his quiver full of arrows that also held his bow that remained strung most of the time as the string was made from such a strong material. That Dawn could carry it around without fear of it ever losing its effectiveness.
Once Dawn had finished dressing he made his way out of his room down to Von's study, where they had all gathered the night before. He saw that everyone was seated the same as before except for Gaddes' seat which was now curiously empty.
"Sorry, I'm late" Dawn apologized.
"No, you're actually just in time" Von replied.
"So what have I missed" Dawn answered as he took his seat.
"We were just going over the final plans. We're all going to try and gather more information as well as try and find the three mystical objects wherever they are hidden" Von said.
"Was there anything else" Dawn asked curiously.
"No, that was it" Von replied as he stood up from his chair. Dawn, Hitomi, Alan and Merle followed by rising from their own chairs.
"Well if that is all then the Crusade is prepped and ready to go" Alan said.
"Then lets go" Von replied.
The companions then made their way out of the castle into the courtyard and then over through the courtyard, across the tarrised bridges and into the large hangar Reeden and Gaddes were already waiting for them.
"Reeden, the crusade ready for departure?" Alan asked.
"It is" Reeden replied.
"Good then let us depart" Alan answered.
"Goodbye Von, Hitomi, Merle. Hopefully we will return with what we need," Alan said.
"And hopefully we will also be able to find what we need. Good luck Alan" Von replied.
"Good luck everyone and see you in a full cycle of the moon"
"Goodbye Alan" Hitomi said.
Goodbye Hitomi until we all meet again" Alan said and then accompanied by Reeden and Gaddes made his way to the Crusade.
"Von, Hitomi, Merle. Good luck" Dawn said.
"Thanks and good luck Dawn" Von said as he patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Goodbye Dawn and be careful" Hitomi said. Dawn nodded his head and then started to make his way to the crusade when.
"Dawn" Merle asked
"Yeah" Dawn answered as he turned around.
"Make sure you come back in one piece you crazy fool"
"Don't worry Merle. I always do" Dawn replied and then walked the rest of the way to the crusade and then up its ramp, which closed shut after him. Von, Hitomi and Merle all stood and watched as the Crusade took off hoping that its passengers would have a safe journey to each of their destinations.
………
Dawn had spent most of the trip in his cabin reading when there was a knock at the door.
"Who's there?" Dawn asked.
"It's me Gaddes" Gaddes replied.
Getting up from the bed Dawn went over to allow Gaddes in who was standing with two trays of food and a pint of ale and juice. Sitting down on the bed beside Dawn he handed the tray with the juice to Dawn and said.
"Here I figured you haven't had anything to eat yet," Gaddes said.
"Always the mind reader eh Gaddes" Dawn replied.
"What can I say I'm a man of many talents" Gaddes answered.
"So where were you today I didn't see you at the meeting" Dawn asked.
"Nowhere in particular I just had something I needed to do in town" Gaddes replied.
"You went to see Sarah, didn't you" Dawn asked.
"No" Gaddes answered.
"You're lying I can tell. Come on just tell the truth" Dawn replied.
"Alright, Alright, I did go to see Sarah, okay" Gaddes answered.
"Ha! I knew it. Well how did it go" Dawn asked.
"It went fine, we sat and talked for a while and agreed to meet up again whenever I come back" Gaddes replied.
"Well good, it's good to see that you two are getting on well" Dawn answered.
"Thanks, but your one to talk Kosime, when are you going to finally find someone" Gaddes asked.
"Maybe I already have?" Dawn replied with an evil grim. Gaddes laughed heartly. Just then there was a knock on the door and then poking his head in around the door Reeden said.
"Hey Dawn, you asked to be told when we reached Cesario well we're almost there"
"Thanks Reeden" Dawn replied as both he and Gaddes got up from the bed where now only empty plates and glasses lay.
"Alan" Dawn said as he stepped onto the bridge of the crusade.
"Well there it is Dawn, Cesario" Alan replied.
The view that lay before Dawn was one of a vast green country with small forests and a large mountain range that rose up on its northern borders. Then he saw the four main cities of Cesario each situated at a different border point like the four main points on a compass. The final sight was that of the Cesarian Palace, a drop of pale white in an ocean of green, which on its own was beautiful to behold as its spires gleamed in the light of the sun. It was surrounded by a lake that shone clear blue and ran off on each side into the four main cities which each mirrored this design.
It was protected by two sets of battlements that were positioned around the palace and were made of solid stone that was nigh on unbreakable and on the outer battlements concealed to the naked eye were great ballista's that could fend off any attack. The castle itself was also made of the same solid stone and would not crumble easily and it is said that when King Von Fanel was rebuilding his own kingdom he used this same material for greater strength. It also had tall spires that could see out over all the land and which contained the banners of the Cesarian kingdom. It had stood for centuries uncounted and had warded off all attack from those who had seeked to destroy it. The castle also stood on a large hill that was situated near the northern mountains and around this hill just outside of the first set of walls stood Caderle the main city of Cesario.
It was as Dawn stood on the bridge of the Crusade looking out over the beautiful country that now lay before him that he found himself thinking about only one thing.
'It's good to be home'
………
The sun was beginning to set past the mountains when the Crusade finally docked just outside of Caderle. Dawn along with Alan and the rest of the crew began to make his way out of the ship. Now that he was on the ground Dawn had a better view of the castle and of the city of Caderle that lay at its feet as they began to unload the ships supplies. It was as Dawn was leading Gearoid out of the ship that he noticed two small figures swiftly approaching the ship and from the look on Alan's face it seemed that he had noticed them too. Dawn then proceeded to lead Gearoid down on to the grassland where the ship was docked so that he may rest on firm ground and graze if he so wished. It was then as Dawn was unloading some more of the supplies and Gaddes was tending to Alan's horse. That two riders dressed in dark blue with black tunics bearing the Cesarian royal symbol of the wolf arrived. Dawn also noticed that strapped to the saddle of each horse was a sword and this led Dawn to wonder for what purpose had these two riders graced them with their presence. Whispering silently to Dawn, Gaddes said.
"Lets see how this plays out" Dawn nodded in agreement as the two men sat down on some nearby boxes. Alan had stood watching the two riders as they approached and now waited to see what their purpose was especially as they seemed to be from the castle. Then one of the riders got down from his mount and made his way over to where Alan now stood waiting.
"Are you the captain of this vessel," he asked questioningly.
"I am" came Alan's reply.
"Then Lord Grear requests your presence at the castle. You will come with us," the rider answered.
"Fine but I request that my companion comes with me," Alan said.
"Fine" the rider answered. Alan motioned to Dawn and then made his way over to his horse and lifted himself onto the saddle and waited on Dawn while he quickly fitted Gearoid with his saddle. Then after he had climbed onto the saddle, the two riders from the palace as they sped off across the land back towards the castle. As they came nearer to the city and the castle Dawn saw that were four arched bridges each positioned at a different point that crossed the lake over into the city. As they sped across the nearest bridge Dawn could hear the small creaking of the wood below them as they rode over into the city and were soon ride up through the now silent and empty streets passing many houses and businesses as they passed. The only sound that could be heard as they made their way up through the city was the footfalls of the horse's hooves on the cobbled streets.
Once they had made their way up through the city they came to the first great wall with its large archway with its two solid wooden gates. That had now been swung open in order to allow the riders to pass through unhindered. The riders then made their way past the many garrisons and guardhouses on their way to the second and final gate. Dawn was slightly surprised however to see that behind this wall there were many houses situated on either side of the road but just thought that they must be the homes of the royal guards and their families. Until finally they came to the last wall and this was even larger than the first gate and situated on top, Dawn could clearly see guards patrolling the wall their swords shimmering in the light of the now fading sun. As they approached the wall, which had its gate firmly shut, the rider who had approached Alan drew his sword and raised it high for the guards on the wall to see. Dawn could then hear the call going out to open the gates and once they reached the gates they began to swing open as the sound of the hinges creaking under the heavy strain of the large wooden doors filled the air.
As they rode on through the final gate into the caste courtyard the sight of the castle with its high banners catching the wind filled all sight. The company then stopped just before a long flight of steps that led up to large entrance that had its doors already swung open. The two riders from Lord Grear dismounted and began to make their way up the steps to the castle their swords sheathed once more at their sides. Dawn and Alan also dismounted and followed them but at a safe enough distance that they could speak without being heard.
"Dawn, I don't know what's going to happen now but just let me do the talking and no matter what follow my lead" Alan said in whispered tones.
"Okay" Dawn replied as they finally reached the top of the steps and saw that the two riders were waiting for them.
They then made their way through the entrance and down a long corridor that went to the left past a large hall and several closed doorways until finally they came to a doorway at the right of the corridor. The first rider knocked twice on the door and after a few seconds the door opened and they walked through into a large hall that had large pillars that were on both the left and right of the room and ran the full length of the room. Situated at the bottom of the hall were two large wooden chairs and in front of these stood another large wooden chair. In this chair sat Lord Grear and he wore robes of red and green and resting across his lap was a large sword sheathed in its scabbard. To Dawn he appeared to be a man in his mid thirties and upon his head he wore no crown or no helm, something that seemed strange to Dawn although he remained silent. Alan, Dawn and the two riders then walked over to Lord Grear and then kneeled down with their heads bowed as a mark of respect. Lord Grear then spoke and said to the two riders who had summoned Alan.
"Thank you, now leave us"
"Yes Lord" the two men answered and with that they left and closed the door that they had entered through behind them as they left.
"Please, stand up. I am Lord Grear Steward of Cesario" Lord Grear said. Dawn was surprised at these words, as he always believed Lord Grear to be Cesario's king.
"I am Alan Shazar of Asturia, Captain of the Knights of Calea and this is my companion" Alan replied motioning to Dawn who bowed his head. An expression of puzzlement came across Lord Grear's face as he looked at Dawn.
"I'm sorry but do I know you from somewhere, companion of Alan Shazar" Lord Grear asked.
"I do not believe so lord, this is my first time here in the castle" Dawn answered.
"Really!" Lord Grear said surprised. "It is just that I feel like I recognise you somehow, your face, it reminds of something from the past. What is your name" Lord Grear asked.
"Robin lord, my name is Robin" Dawn answered lying.
"Forgive me Robin, I must be mistaken. Please forgive me" Lord Grear replied.
"There is nothing to forgive lord" Dawn answered politely.
"Anyway, what is your purpose here Alan Shazar of Asturia" Lord Grear asked now turning his gaze back on Alan.
"My Lord, myself and my crew are on our way back to Asturia and we stopped here to pick up supplies and other materials," Alan answered.
"Have you any other reasons for being here Alan Shazar" Lord Grear replied.
"No lord, that is our only reason for being here" Alan answered.
"That is okay and please forgive me but I had to be sure of your purpose" Lord Grear said.
"That is okay lord, I can understand but now my companion and I must be going" Alan replied.
"Then go with my best wishes and may you both have a safe journey home," Lord Grear answered as he stood up from his chair. Dawn and Alan both bowed their heads and made their way back out through the door that they had entered by. Once Alan and Dawn had left the throne room, a man stepped out from the shadows behind Lord Grear's chair.
"What did they want?" he said silently.
"They said that they have stopped here for supplies on their journey back to Asturia. Why do you know them?" Lord Grear asked.
"I know of Alan Shazar of Asturia by his reputation but his companion seems familiar to me although I can't quite place why" the stranger answered.
"Yes, he seemed familiar to me as well" Lord Grear said.
"What did he say his name was" the stranger asked.
"Robin although I got the impression that he was lying" Lord Grear replied.
"Really! I want you to find out who this stranger is as he may be a danger to us" the stranger said.
"I will send out word to my men to watch for this newcomer and report if anything strange happens. It may turn out that he is no threat." Lord Grear said.
"Maybe, however I shall tell my own men the same so as to avoid any mistakes" the stranger replied and walked away leaving the Lord to think about this new factor and how it could affect him.
………
Once Alan and Dawn were sure that the castle was far behind them they began to talk more freely as they walked through the streets of Caderle. They led their horses beside them because by the time they had left the castle night had now fallen and they decided to just find an inn where they could stay the night. Dawn would then accompany Alan back to the ship first thing in the morning and would then return to Caderle and begin trying to gather information on the tablet and the elixir of Atlantis.
"Robin! What sort of a name is Robin" Alan asked.
"Hey! There's nothing wrong with Robin besides it's the first thing that entered my mind" Dawn replied.
"Really, well maybe you can tell my why you didn't just give your real name" Alan asked puzzled.
"Well it's just that I don't trust him" Dawn replied.
"Oh and why's that" Alan asked curiously.
"I don't know why but I just get the feeling that it's not all as it seems. Besides I think he knew that I was lying anyway but at least this way he doesn't know who I am. Something that I'm hoping will work in my favour" Dawn answered.
"You hope! Well let's just forget about it and just find somewhere we can spend the night" Alan replied. As they walked down through the streets past the many houses they heard the sound of music and of much merriment. Looking up they saw a sign swinging over the door of one of the buildings that said 'The Sabre's Den Inn'.
"This looks like a good place to spend the night," Alan said.
"Hey, I'm not picky so lets just see if they have a couple of free beds and a place where we can keep the horses" Dawn replied.
"Ok then, you stay with the horses and I'll check it out" Alan replied as he handed the reigns of his horse to Dawn and made his way into the inn. As soon as he opened the door, a blast of heat came rushing out and warmed his face and body and he then stepped into the inn and closed the door behind him while Dawn waited. The inn was a large place that had an open fire over to the far left and scattered all around there were many tables. Some facing the fire while others faced the door that was in the middle of the right hand side of the room and at the bottom there was a large bar space where two men stood pouring drinks and taking orders. At the bar there were several men sitting on large stools drinking and talking and at the top of the bar. Alan noticed that a small band was playing what sounded like a folk song. Alan made his way over to the bar where he waited for one of the bartenders to come over and when he did Alan said to him.
"I'm looking for two spare beds for me and my friend and also a place to keep our horses"
"Well it's lucky that you came when you did as we have three more beds spare but the way its going tonight it doesn't look like they'll be around form much longer" the bartender replied.
"That's okay I'll take two of those beds but I still need a place where my friend and I can keep our horses" Alan said.
"There is a stable around the back of the bar where you can keep your horses free of charge but I'm afraid that I will need to ask you now for forty-five slale's if you still want the two beds" the bartender answered. So reaching into his pocket Alan drew out some coins and counting out the proper amount handed it to the bartender.
"Thank you, I'll send Finn out now to show you the way to the stables and your beds will be ready for you when you want them" the bartender said before going to take an order. Alan stood at the bar for a few moments when a boy of around thirteen or fourteen approached him and said that he would show him the way to the stables. So following the boy out the door Alan saw Dawn with his hood pulled over his head while he stood and talked to the horses, reassuring them as they were now starting to become restless.
"Dawn, I've got us a couple of beds for the night and this boy is going to show us the way to the stables" Alan said.
"Ok" Dawn said as he looked over and saw the boy opening the gate at the side of the building. Then following Alan and the boy, he led the horses one after the other down the path at the side of the building until they came to the large wooden stables that stood at the back of the stables. Once the boy had led them to the stables, he returned to the heat of the inn through a door that was at the end of the stables.
"How much were the beds?" Dawn asked as he un-strapped Gearoid's saddle.
"It doesn't matter" came Alan's reply.
"Come on Alan, how much did the beds cost for the night" Dawn asked again.
"Forty five Slale's" Alan replied.
"Well here's what I owe you" Dawn answered as he handed Alan his share of the cost.
"No, its okay, keep it" Alan replied.
"No Alan, please take this, it's what I owe you" Dawn answered. Seeing that he wasn't going to win Alan accepted the money.
"Ok, but I'm buying the first round," Alan said sternly.
"Ok" Dawn answered and the two had finished tending to the horses they made their way into the inn.
………
Once they had gotten cleaned and changed into fresh clothes, Alan and Dawn found a table near the fire and ordered a warm meal and drinks while they talked and listened to the band playing who were actually pretty good. They had been sitting for about an hour and a half just talking and drinking when suddenly the music stopped much to the surprise of everyone gathered.
"I'm sorry everybody, not unless we can find another guitar player otherwise I'm afraid we won't be able to continue. You see our resident guitar player has pulled one of the muscles in his arm" the lead singer said as he looked around the bar but it seemed that no one played.
"Hey Dawn, why don't you do it, you're pretty good" Alan said quietly.
"No! I'm not that good anyway besides I've never played in front of a crowd" Dawn answered.
"Your joking right, I've heard you playing whenever you thought no-one's around" Alan replied.
"What" Dawn said quietly with surprise in his voice.
"Oh yes and I know how good you are. So go for it, hey you never know you might surprise yourself" Alan said.
"Alan I ca…." Dawn started but was soon cut off as Alan stood up and shouted to the lead singer.
"I found your guitar player" as he motioned to Dawn.
"Really, hey friend, do you really play" the lead singer asked.
"Yeah, I play" Dawn said as he stood up from his seat.
"Well come on then, play a couple of tunes with us" the lead singer replied.
"Go on" Alan said as he shoved Dawn forward and then sat back down in his own seat. As Dawn left he whispered to Alan "You'll pay for this". Alan just started clapping and shouting which caused the whole audience to start doing the same. As Dawn walked up to the spot where the band was waiting, all he could think about was the many ways that he could get his own back on Alan. Once he reached the band, their lead singer greeted him.
"Hey I'm Dret, this is Andre, this is Erre and this is Leon. Leon is the one who pulled his muscle"
"I'm sorry" Dawn answered.
"Nah, don't be, it means I can take a rest. Here you'll be needing this" Leon said as he handed Dawn his guitar.
"Thanks, I'm Dawn" Dawn replied.
"Cool, now gentleman lets play some music. Oh, Dawn do you know a ballad called ' To You I will Return'" Dret said.
"Yes" Dawn answered.
"Oh good because that's what were going to play now. So just follow my lead for the next few songs and we'll see how you do," Dret replied.
So taking his place among the front of the band, Dawn began to play while Dret sang the words. As this was a slow ballad it meant that Dawn could play in the slower style that he preferred most. As he played Dawn noticed a young woman sitting on her own, she wore a dark red cloak that was draped over her shoulders and a short sleeved dress that was light green and blue in colour. However it was her beauty that caught Dawn's attention the most as she had long black hair that fell down to her shoulders and deep blue eyes. Whenever he looked at her he felt his fear of playing melt away and as a result he felt his confidence back as he continued to play this song for her. A few times Dawn thought that he had saw the lady smile at him and this encouraged and in heartened him even more and when the song had finished, Dawn along with the other members of the band stood up and bowed to the audience. The audience who had been silent the whole way through the song stood up and began to clap and cheer wildly calling for more. Dawn couldn't believe the reaction of the crowd and as he looked around he saw Alan standing and laughing as he clapped. Then Dawn saw that the young woman who he had been playing to was also standing smiling as she continued to clap and upon seeing this Dawn bowed his head directly to her. She smiled back as she sat back down in her chair and it was then that Dawn resolved that if he could he would find out who she was.
So it was that the band continued to play much to the delight and applause of the crowd whether it was a slow song such as a ballad or a fast song for dance. Then whenever they had played about five more songs that Dawn looked away for an instant and when he looked back again the young woman was nowhere to be seen, vonished as if she was nothing more than a dream. The band then played three more songs before they decided to call it a night and as they got up they received a standing ovation from the crowd. Dawn however was more interested in finding out who the young woman was and where she had went. Dawn then helped Dret and the others to pack away their things and then made his way over to the table where Alan was.
"That was quite a show," Alan said as they made their way from the table to their rooms.
"Thanks" Dawn replied.
"So what were you staring at when you were up there?" Alan asked.
"What are you babbling about now" Dawn replied.
"Oh I'm babbling am I, then maybe you can explain what suddenly kick started your self confidence up there," Alan answered.
"It was a young lady in the crowd" Dawn said.
"Ha! I thought as much, I thought it was a woman," Alan answered.
"She was beautiful Alan but the strangest was that I turned away for a second and when I looked back she was gone" Dawn replied.
"Ha! Maybe you just imagined her so as to give yourself some more confidence," Alan said.
"That's what I thought at first but I could have swear that she was there" Dawn replied.
"Well, just forget about it and get some sleep. I'll wake you in the morning" Alan said.
"Right, well I'll see you in the morning" Dawn replied. Dawn then went to his room while Alan went to the one given to him. Whenever Dawn climbed into bed, he felt his weariness weighing down on him until eventually he fell asleep but as his eyes closed the last thought to go through his mind was.
"She was real, wasn't she?"
………
The sun rose early that morning as Dawn lay in a peacefully slumber until he was suddenly awoken by the sound of heavy knocking on his door.
"Dawn! Dawn! Get up you lazy sack of bones" Alan's voiced boomed through the door.
"Yes Mommy!" Dawn called back sarcastically.
"Come on Wiseass! It's past sunrise and I'll have to leave soon" Alan replied seriously. After he had washed the sleep out of his eyes, Dawn put his clothes on along with his weapons and cloak and made his way into the main hall of the inn. Alan was sitting waiting for him.
"You ready" Alan asked.
"Just give me a minute okay" Dawn replied as Alan raised one finger to signal one minute. He then made his way over to one of the bartenders who was taking stools down off the tops of the tables.
"Excuse me" Dawn asked politely.
"Yes" the barman replied while still taking stools down.
"Did you see a woman with long black hair and a dark red cloak come in here last night," Dawn asked.
"Yeah, I remember her, she left before you and the guys finished playing" the barman relied.
"So she was here!" Dawn replied.
"Yeah she was here, why?" the barman asked curiously.
"I was wondering if you knew who she was" Dawn replied.
"Sorry, I'm afraid I don't" the barman said.
"Oh, well thanks anyway" Dawn replied.
"Sorry I couldn't be of more help" the barman answered.
"Oh, one more thing" Dawn asked.
"Yes" the barman answered.
"Can you keep the bed as I'll be coming back in a few hours" Dawn said.
"Okay" the barman replied.
"Thanks" Dawn said. He then made his way over to where Alan was sitting.
"Aren't you going to have something to eat before we go" Alan asked.
"It's alright, I'll get something whenever I come back" Dawn answered.
"Lets go then" Alan said as he stood up from the table. Then both he and Dawn made their way out to the stables where they saddled their horses and then rode out from the stables down through the city. Passing children playing and adults on their way to their jobs until finally they were at the edge of the city and were soon riding across the bridge out of the city and were then back on the open plain. They rode in silence as they each thought about the journey that would lie ahead for them both once the crusade left. Until finally it loomed into view and they were riding ever closer to it and as they did they saw that it was already prepped for departure and that the crew was just waiting on their arrival.
When they finally reached the ship they saw that most of the crew was standing there. Both Alan and Dawn dismounted and then Reeden led Alan's horse onto the crusade as the crew once they had greeted Alan and Dawn made their way onto the ship as well until only Gaddes remained. Once they had filled Gaddes in on all the details of the day before, he seemed upset that he had missed out on all the fun. Once they had all wished one another good luck and farewell, Dawn rode off to a safe distance so that he could watch the crusade as it took off on its way home to Asturia.
After the crusade had left, Dawn rode back to Caderle to the inn where he was staying and once he had had some breakfast he made his way back into town and headed for the building where all the Cesarian records as well as many of the records of Cesario itself. At first he found some records containing information on Atlantian lore but nothing that was of any use to him and then over the ensuing days he would continue to read through all the scrolls and documents. Each possessing no more information about Atlantis than what he already knew or had already found until eventually a week passed with still no success.
Once this avenue was no longer of any use he tried searching in other areas such as public meeting places like inns where he would talk to the locals subtly slipping in questions about myth and lore but especially about Atlantis. After days of searching he still had no more information than that which he started with.
………
It was on his fifth day of searching for information by talking to people that Dawn had a particularly bad day, as he decided to try the inn where he was staying but no one seemed to want to talk to him. So as a result he had spent most of the afternoon at a table on his own considering what he would do now as he was running out of time and still he had no substantial information. Until he heard the inn door being opened he looked around in the chance that it may be someone knew entering who would be more willing to speak to him. However what he saw was not what he expected to see or ever thought that he would see again.
It was the woman from the first night that he spent in the inn and she was now leaving the inn. Dawn decided that he was not going to lose her a second time and so draining the last of his glass. He stood up and saw that right after she had left a pack of seven men had suddenly stood up and were also leaving. Not believing this to be mere coincidence, Dawn waited a moment and then followed the men from a distance as they walked up the street. Dawn pulled his hood up so as to conceal his face but also to cover his head as the rain was now pouring down, the thought of which reminded Dawn of something his mother had told him as a child.
'The angels are weeping'
The group of men rounded a corner at the top of the street and slowly like a shadow Dawn followed them trying to keep his eyes and mind focused as the heavy rain beat at his face. Once Dawn reached the corner he looked around and saw that the men had now stopped not too far ahead of him. So remaining in the shadow of the corner he watched in order to see if the group had caught up with the woman and if they did then what did they intend to do. Once a few of the men stepped back Dawn could see that they had indeed caught up with her and now had her cornered at the end of the alley. Dawn watched as one of the men stepped forward and suddenly stood back very quickly as the others laughed at him and made fun. Then whenever he turned to face one of his companions, Dawn saw that he had been slashed across the face and pretty badly too. He then saw the woman circle move from side to side continually as she tried to fend off the others with her dagger. Then the one who had been cut drew his sword and started to walk closer as his companions stepped back. The woman now slashed wildly at the air with her dagger in attempt to prevent his approach but his pride had been wounded in front of his men. Then quite clearly Dawn heard him say.
"You will pay" as he knocked the dagger out of her hand and lifted his sword ready to strike. Then all of a sudden his sword fell from his hand as he let out a cry of pain and then lifting his hand he saw that it was now pierced by an arrow that was followed by a voice from the shadows.
"How would you like another scar to match the two you already possess?"
"Who said that? Come out here, You Coward" the attacker spat.
"I'm a coward. This from someone who attacks a lady when he is supported by six men and you call me the coward" the voice answered.
"This is no lady and I demand that you come out and face me at once" the attacker spat back once more. Then stepping out from the shadow of the corner, Dawn stood his bow drawn and his hood covering his face.
"I don't believe it is up to scum like you to decide whether this young woman is considered a lady especially when she was able to best you" Dawn retorted which only served to anger the attacker and his group more. All of a sudden one of the group ran forward with his sword drawn to where the woman had now fallen to the ground and was searching for her dagger. As soon as the man raised his sword an arrow pierced his throat.
"I give you all the chance to leave now with your lives but if any of you try to harm that young woman. I WILL SHOOT YOU DEAD" Dawn shouted to the remaining men, his voice full of anger and hate.
Unperturbed the leader of the men who had now pulled Dawn's arrow from his hand said quietly to his men "when I give you the signal, throw a few of those boxes at him and that should throw him off long enough for you to get in and attack. Then we will see if his fighting is as quick as his tongue". There was a moment of silence in which Dawn did not lower his bow once until.
"Now!" the leader shouted as two of his men started to throw some of the crates that were lying in the alley at Dawn. This took him by surprise and he had to dodge these crates therefore preventing his aim while the others ran in with their swords drawn. Dawn could not see their approach but he could hear the sound of their feet on the rain soaked ground. He quickly put away his bow and drew his sword when suddenly the bombardment stopped and he was assaulted by one of the men.
He had attacked high which meant that Dawn was able to take the blow up high, throwing his attacker momentarily off balance. Dawn then stabbed his sword deep into his attackers chest and then withdrew it quickly as the next two attackers launched their assault. The first one was aimed at Dawns chest, which he dodged by moving sideways and then drawing his dagger he drove it deep into the back of his attackers skull. The next attacker was harder to kill as first he aimed for Dawn's head, which Dawn countered by ducking down low but then his attacker booted him in the face knocking him to the ground on his back. Then taking advontage of Dawn's disorientation, his attacker raised his sword and plunged it down at Dawn's chest and only for a woman's voice screaming "Quickly, Move!" Dawn was able to roll to his right and avoid the attack. He then countered by slicing off his attackers right leg at the thigh and then drove his sword into the attackers heart whenever he fell to the ground reeling in pain. As soon as Dawn got back to his feet he saw that there were only three men left including the groups leader and they were all acting more defensively now that so few remained.
Not giving his attackers the chance to make the next move, Dawn sprinted forward and jumping kicked the man farthest to the left squarely in the chest sending him painfully to the ground. He then threw his dagger downwards where it went straight into the fallen attackers heart and he then turned his attention back to the remaining two. The first charged in his sword held high and Dawn after he had blocked this attack, Dawn hit his attacker in the face with the pommel of his sword, breaking his nose. Then as his attacker stepped backwards in pain, Dawn stabbed him with his sword and then quickly withdrew it as the attacker fell to the ground dead. The leader of the group was even more furious now than before and he charged in and started attacking wildly in directions that Dawn was finding harder to block. Then quickly punching his attacker in the face he ran and rolled forward on the now drenched ground and drew his dagger out of the last attacker he had killed with it. The leader of the group quickly ran forward and slashed down at Dawn who blocked the attack using both his blade and his dagger. The two men then fought viciously as the rain continued to pelt down upon them, at times blinding them as each man tried to gain the upper hand on the other. Dawn parried each new attack and in return the leader of the group parried each of Dawns attacks until elbowing him in the face the leader sent Dawn staggering backwards. The leader then rushed in and attacked even more fiercely by slashing more and more wildly as if he was some sort of wild beast. Dawn sensing that he would need to end this battle soon began to attack even more furiously constantly forcing his enemies attack back towards him.
The leader of the group suddenly attacked upwards and then slashed downwards at Dawns head. Dawn blocked this attack and then drove the sword downwards using his sword and his dagger, which caused the two men to now be locked in a stalemate with each trying to free their sword from the other.
"So who is underneath that hood that they do not reveal themselves in battle" the leader spat at Dawn.
"Wouldn't you like to know" Dawn replied as he tried to free either his sword or his dagger.
"Don't worry, I intend to find out!" the leader replied as Dawn heard the small almost faint among the beating of the rain of a click. Then he suddenly felt a searing pain shoot through his entire body and looking down he saw a dagger drove deep into his chest. This was because while Dawn was trying to free his sword and dagger, his opponent had removed from the hilt of his sword a small dagger that he always kept hidden in case of emergencies.
"Now lets see who or what is under there" the leader said as he drove his dagger deeper into Dawn's chest and then grabbing Dawn's hood with his free hand yanked his hood back.
"WHAT! A BOY! A BOY BESTED SIX OF MY MEN! YOU… WILL… DIE…!" the leader shouted in anger as he saw Dawn's face. He then threw Dawn to the ground and walking forward kicked his dagger and his sword out of his hands and then stood on his arms in order to keep him pinned to the ground. Then raising his sword high the leader said.
"Now Boy, YOU DIE!"
"Not if you die first" came a woman's reply but the leader had no time to react as the young woman had already grabbed him and slit his throat. His body then fell lifeless to the ground as the young woman rushed over to where Dawn now lay. She quickly kneeled down and looked at the place where he had been stabbed as the blood poured out through his shirt and was washed away by the rain. Taking his head in her arms she pulled back his hood, which had now fallen back over his head and saw to her amazement that it was the guitarist she had saw over a week and a half ago at the Sabre's Den Inn.
"You saved me, Thank You" she said softly.
"No Worries" Dawn said as he lifted his hand up to touch her face and then his hand fell to the ground and his eyes closed.
"No! No!" she replied as she wept over his body.
……
End of Chapter Four
Sundance Kid
24.02.04
……
Author Message: -
Thank you to all the readers who have been with me and followed this story from the start and I hope that you have all enjoyed the journey that the story is taking and that you have enjoyed this chapter. It is from this chapter onwards that the real events of the story start to come into place as it is the events of this chapter and its climax that will affect the futures of the other characters in the story. I would also like to reassure all the readers that chapter 5 will be coming soon and over the course of both that and chapter 6 which has already been written and will come soon after 5.
I loved writing this chapter and can honestly say that it is one of my favourites as it allowed me to finally begin story threads that I had been developing since the very beginning of the story and still continue to develop even now. In order to give the fans of both escaflowne and this fan fiction, a story that has intimate character stories and character development. As well as being adventurous with good action sequences and not forgetting light hearted comedy as well. Once more I would like to thank all the readers for their support of this fan fiction and for staying with it as long as they have. I would also like to thank my fellow writer Butch who is currently hard at work on chapter 5 of the Descended Shadow which tells the story of Hitomi's daughter and how she arrives in Gaia twenty years after the end of this fan fiction and the events that now surround Gaia. In this story you can also find many of the characters and locations from my story.
As well as this, I was wondering did anyone pick up on the two Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves references in the story when Dawn said that his name was Robin and when he shot his arrow through the hand of the gang leader. It was that whole sequence at the end that was something which has been developed in my head for over a year now and I loved being able to finally write it. As well as this there will be at least one more Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves reference in this story but it will be taking place later on and is another idea that has been developed from early on in the story. Unfortunately I can't tell you yet what it is or where it takes place but when it does you will know it.
So until chapter 5 this is it from the Sundance and if there are any thoughts or questions that you have then please don't hesitate to email me at – and I promise that I will answer them all as best as I can without giving away spoilers of what's going to happen next. I will also gladly answer any questions that you have on how the events and characters in my story affect those of my colleague Butch's story.
Cast #Ref part IV (Alphabetical) –
OC – Original Character
NC – New this chapter
Alan (OC) – Knight of Celia, friend to Von, Merle, Hitomi and Dawn.
Andre (NC) - A member of a local band in Caderle
Celena (OC) - Alan's Sister, reason for quest for Elixir
Dawn – Vons body guard, and friend.
Dret (NC) - Singer of a local band in Caderle.
Erre (NC) - A member of a local band in Caderle.
Finn (NC) - A stable boy at 'The Sabre's Den Inn' I Caderle.
Gaddes (OC) – 1st Mate of the crusade. Friend to Dawn.
Hitomi (OC) – Centre of the story, love to Von, friend to Merle, and now Dawn
Leon (NC) - Guitarist of a local band in Caderle
Lord Grear - Steward or Cesario, lord if Caderle
Merle (OC) – Close friend and confidante of Von, tormentor of Hitomi
Reeden (OC) - 2rd Mate on the crusade, Alan's Levi-Ship
Sarah – Owner of Sarah's bar. Old friend of Dawn's
Von (OC) – King of Fanelia. Need I say more?