"Determined Protector"
by Shelly Webster
Disclaimer: I own Sei and Yaifa (or maybe they own me...). I don't own Escaflowne. If I did, we'd know more about the relationship between Celena and Dilandau, such as what happens to the other when one has taken over the body.
A/N: Thanks to my D, who betaed this for me, and told me that the idea I was working off of to get the story headed where I want isn't stupid. She was right, I see now. (Just took three tries to express it well...)
Shout-outs:
clarisse: Thanks! Even if I weren't interested in continuing this, my beta wouldn't let me.
Stone: Thanks. The idea just came to me when I returned to RPing with Sei. He started out as a one-time character, but then he wouldn't let me leave him.
Chapter 2
In-patients and needing patience
Sei watched heatedly as Folken exited the infirmary. The audacity of that man! This is a place of healing, not imprisonment or torture.
The Strategos had strongly recommended that the young commander of the Dragon Slayers be strapped to his cot. Dilandau Albatou was still under the influence of the tranquilizing medicine, so there was no knowing if he would be a threat to anyone yet.
Sei had to concede that the man had made a number of reasonable requests, especially considering the history of Lord Dilandau. Lord Dilandau was not to stay in the same facility as his men, or any other patient the doctor might acquire. He was to be kept for careful observation for at least a few days; longer if he seemed less stable than usual, which was not very stable to begin with.
This would work well, as the medical facilities included not only the examination room at the front where most of his work was done and most patients stayed, but also a back room filled solely with cots. Usually it was for serious contagious illnesses, but Sei decided that the majority of his patients this time would stay there.
Sei always slept in the examination room, so he would be easy to find if a doctor was needed at odd hours. Lord Dilandau would join him there, to make watching the youth more convenient.
Dalet was currently unconscious, his wound carefully stitched shut. As Sei had sewn the edges together, he thought, At least he isn't feeling the injury right now. Chesta had scarcely moved from his side other than to allow Sei access to his injury. The blond boy would have to leave his companion soon to rest. With their commander out of commission, the Dragon Slayers had little to do, so Sei would have a hard time keeping him away entirely.
Usually they would run drills and practice as a team even without Dilandau, but the second-in-command was also unable to work at the moment. Gatti had tried to convince Sei that he is able to work while injured, but Sei would hear no such thing. He wrapped Gatti's chest and informed him that the strain of work was likely only to injure him worse, which managed to quiet him to a low grumble.
Although at this time there was only one doctor on the Vione, there were facilities for another adjacent to Sei's examination room. This room also had a door to the quarantine room, so Sei instructed the Dragon Slayers to use that door as an entrance and exit when visiting their comrades. He also posted specific hours for visitation, so his patients would be allowed the rest they need.
Guimel's many contusions were treated with a salve and the more serious scrapes were bandaged. He seemed to have more serious bruising to his abdomen, but Sei was not yet able to determine if his organs were seriously damaged. Sei gave him a strong pain-killer, because even his gasping breaths were pain-filled.
He quieted and Sei probed his belly deftly and almost gently despite the necessary pressure. At times during this examination, Guimel would sharply gasp again. Sei noted which areas earned this response, and determined that his liver and spleen were bruised. He would observe the digestive traits of this patient the next two days before coming to a conclusion about the severity of the damage.
Sei now had only one patient to treat before returning to Dilandau to ensure he would emerge from the sedative at least somewhat calmly. He turned to Yaifa, who had come unwillingly.
"Sir, this is nothing worth worrying about. I can take care of it." The bespectacled youth protested.
"Nonsense. It will heal better and faster if you just let me do my job." With that, Sei took out a clean needle and thread. He rinsed the blood from the exterior laceration and sewed it shut after using a healing balm on it and an ointment that slightly numbed the vicinity for a short period of time. He also made Yaifa rinse his mouth with an antiseptic solution after probing the inside of his cheek to see if that needed any stitching. "Come back tomorrow for more of the balm and antiseptic rinse." he stipulated.
Yaifa agreed, having little choice in the matter. Viole, who had forced him into the infirmary, had the look in his eye that meant he would not get out of his next visit either. The two soldiers then left for the barracks, carrying a message from Gatti that they were all to practice regularly even without any leadership. Sei suspected they might conveniently forget to deliver that message right away. They deserve a little break anyhow. They're so young to be in a war.
Finally done treating his patients, Sei returned to the main examination room, sitting at the table across the room from Lord Dilandau. He began filling out the records for each of the soldiers he had treated that day. He had two files left to record in when he heard the commander stirring. He looked up to see him moving restlessly, though clearly not yet awake.
Lord Dilandau tossed and turned, finally crying out "Go away!"
Sei ran to his side to try to wake him. He succeeded, only to find himself in the tight, dangerous grip of the young man.
"Where is she?" Lord Dilandau asked, opening his eyes to see a dark-haired man in his hands. He thrust the man back, maintaining the firm grip, and asked again.
Sei gasped for breath then rasped, "I don't know who you are talking about. There has been no female here. This is the infirmary. Let me go."
The final phrase proved unnecessary, as Lord Dilandau dropped him and tried to get as far away as he could once he learned where he was. He could not get far, as he still had some of the sedative in his system. "Why am I here? Let me go!" He cowered, though Sei could see him trying to find his standard air of bravado. "I am Lord Dilandau Albatou, commander of the Dragon Slayers. You cannot keep me here!" he then declared, finally finding it.
"Folken has given orders that you are to remain here, for the time being."
"No!"
"I know you'd rather be anywhere else, but please just try to relax. I'm not going to do anything to you."
"Then why do I have to stay here?"
Sei sighed. "Because Folken ordered it. Because you attacked one of your men. I know that you use physical strength to control your men, but beating one that badly for doing nothing suggests maybe you need to be in someone's care. I was someone convenient I suppose."
Lord Dilandau's eyes widened. "I what?"
"Guimel. You pummeled him when no one was answering a question." Fearing Lord Dilandau's reaction, Sei refrained from sharing the question. It did no good.
Slowly the events from earlier that day came back to Lord Dilandau. "Miguel. Is he here?"
Sei warily watched the youth as he answered. "To the best of my knowledge, no one has heard from him."
The young commander's shield of anger vanished against his will and he sat down heavily. "Gone. All gone." he whispered.
Sei approached him once more. "You have to believe he's fine. Give your men hope."
He shook his head. "No. There is no hope. They'll all die."
Sei was aghast at the level of despair now exhibited. He can't have no hope. So many count on him, but he can't see it. All he sees is blood.
