So this has been the long awaited chapter. I hope to have covered enough ground so that in the next chapters the story can take off. There will be more action soon, I promise. Once again, I don't own Escaflowne so don't sue me. I just own the extra characters and story.
Chapter 8: Waltzing Lies
Folken woke up every morning as he had for the past few years, cold and hungry. He could hear the morning servants coming down the hallway feeding other prisoners. But as the servants neared he heard the warden of the prisoners. He had learned the sound of the man by his gate and the keys rattling against his thick thighs. A door was opened not to far from him and scuffling noises made Folken inch as close to his prison bars as he could. The door to Tyrune's cell was open as grunts of frustration were heard down the hall.
"YEOW!" howled the warden, "Gag his mouth before he tries to bite anyone else. Come on you lousy soldiers, chain him up and take him to the experimental room."
'Experimental room! They really are going to do the mind transfer on Tyrune.' As the sounds of the scuttle faded the trolley of food rolled in front of Folken's cell.
"Good morning Folken." came a familiar voice.
Looking up with empty eyes, Folken recognized the scientist that stood outside of his cell. "Hello Philous. What do you want?"
"Just to ask you once again if you would help us in understanding the weapon. Translate the codes and you will be released from this filthy area."
"No." was Folken's only response.
"Well, then I hope you die down here with all the rest of the rats." Spat Philous.
A servant slid a bowl of gruel towards Folken and took off.
'Van watch out. Once Serra has Dilandau she won't stop with her conquest of Gaea and the destruction of Earth.' Folken silently prayed.
Hitomi was sitting on a grassy hill that had mountains behind her and the ocean before her. She sat in her uniform with her knees tucked up to her chest. The sky was a deep blue and the sun was just rising from the green blue sea. Everything seemed perfect until a rumbling in the ground caused Hitomi to stand upright. Looking out to the sea the waves seems to become choppier and larger while see could see land slides down the sides of the mountain. For a few moments it felt as if the world would begin tilting and then everything was still. Then Hitomi began to feel a vibration beneath her. Trying to find the source, she ran to what she figured was some sort of a village. The sight before her sent her fleeing from the scene. An entire village slaughtered but what scared her more was the fact that the enemy had spotted her. Trying to out run the giant monster was no use as its stone hand plucked her from the ground. It held her firmly in it's grasp. Hitomi looked up to the monster's shoulder to see a shadow figure.
"Let me go." She cried
"Never." said a haunting voice.
"Let me GO!" She screamed.
"Hitomi!"
Snapping open her eyes she was met with two pairs of eyes staring at her. Van pulled Hitomi to his chest and slowly rubbed her back.
"I'm right here Hitomi."
Ilya grabbed one of Hitomi's hands and held on tight. Hitomi felt suddenly very restrictive in the twisted blankets around her. Slowly pushing away from Van, Hitomi began to untangle herself.
"What happened?" she whispered.
"Why don't you tell us." said Van.
"I heard you screaming and got Van." said Ilya.
After some hesitation Hitomi finally mumbled out the vision that she had. Both Van and Ilya remand silent through the tale.
"We need to tell the others. Who knows what this could mean for Gaea, but isn't it strange you didn't get the vision by using your tarot cards." stated Van.
Hitomi pondered the thought, "Yeah, your right. This is the first time that I have had a vision without the cards; maybe it was just a nightmare."
"Well, we are still going to tell the others. Why don't you get dressed for breakfast, most of them should be there by now."
Hitomi nodded and Van left the room for the girls to change. Quickly getting ready Hitomi just neatly braided her hair and put on her school uniform. By the time they did make it to breakfast almost everyone was seated at the table besides them. Van rose out of his chair and pulled out the chair beside him. All seated the discussion of dragons was brought up.
"We have been hearing the rumors of the flying dragons, but you say you have seen them with your own eyes." mused Dryden.
"Now if we only knew why they were doing it we could better understand this mess." said Van.
"Oh, Hitomi before I forget, you need to know your last name. It would be quiet embarrassing if people started calling out for you and you didn't respond. Your full title is Arch-Duchess Hitomi Ki-Aijou. There is a little bit of history for you to know, but I'm sure that you can make most of it up since you are such a distant relative." finished Dryden.
"Thank you Dryden," Hitomi gave a small sigh, completely ignoring the food on her plate, "I'm just afraid that I won't pass off as royalty very well."
Millerna placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry Hitomi. I'm sure you will do fine. After the meal you and I can go and practice mannerisms that you will need for tonight, but since you were raised with a merchant family some of your less than perfect actions are excusable."
"What was that!" said a slightly offended Dryden.
Hitomi and Millerna just barely covered their giggles when Allen raced through the room and stopping right next to Van.
"News my lord."
Everyone was now focused on the heavily breathing knight. "What is it Allen?"
"There was an attack last night in Astoria."
Millerna was suddenly on her feet, "What happened?"
"A small village was completely destroyed. It doesn't seem as if anyone was particularly targeted because there were only minor injuries reported from the villagers."
The air held a silence as if there was a question waiting to be asked.
"There's something else isn't there." spoke up Van.
Allen gently cleared his throat "Two dragons were reported flying over the sight after the attack."
Van swiftly brought his hand down on the table which made the others jump "I have to call for a meeting. Allen, Dryden will you join me?" Van stood up as the other two men nodded.
"What about me? The attack did happen in Astoria." stated Millerna.
Dryden moved over to her and grabbed one of her hands. "You have other things to worry about my love. Let me handle this for you and I tell you of all the details later."
Millerna nodded letting Dryden follow Van and Allen to the emergency meeting taking place in the ball room. The girls and Prince Chid sat quietly around the table. It wasn't until a maid standing next to Hitomi made a quiet coughing noise shaking up the dark thoughts that were passing through everyone's minds.
"Madam, the dress maker is here with your dress for tonight. She is in your room waiting for the final fitting."
Merle jumped up from her sit, "Come on Hitomi lets go try on your dress."
Pulling Hitomi out of her chair, Merle nearly dragged Hitomi to her room with Millerna following. The lady that Hitomi had met at the dress shop was waiting sitting on her bed and smiled widely as the girls entered the room.
"Why don't you slip on the dress my dear and we'll see if there are any adjustments to make." The lady patted a brown box next to her.
Millerna and Merle were quick to strip Hitomi of her cloths and replaced them with the ball gown. Standing on a low stool Hitomi gazed at herself in the large mirror in her room. The top of the dress was a crape corset with a point at the bottom, all done in a peach color while the shear peach straps capped her shoulders. The skirt had two layers. The top layer in peach satin gathered so the bottom layer of darker peach satin showed along with the short train that extended from the bottom layer of the skirt. Dark peach embroidery of flowers at the bottom left side of the corset was accented with tiny glass beads. Hitomi gasped at her reflection. The other two girls held wide smiles on there faces.
"So what do you think of the dress my lady?" said the seamstress.
"The dress is even more beautiful than I imagined." Hitomi looked down with tears in her eyes to the seamstress.
"Well, I hope you will do business with me more often then."
"Count on it." said Merle beaming with Millerna.
"We need you to do one more thing. Can you alter one of Merle's old dresses for Ilya? By the way, where is she?" Hitomi began looking around the room from her perch.
"I think we left her in the dining room."
It took a while before the girls were on the hunt for Ilya. When they did find Ilya, she was sitting on a stone bench with Prince Chid next to her outside in the garden. Hitomi ushered the other two giggling girls away.
"I would never have thought that those two would become fast friends." Millerna said through her ending giggles.
"I'll get her to come why don't you two go through Merle's old dresses and find one for the seamstress to work on." As the Millerna and Merle left Hitomi went over to the door of the garden and called out Ilya's name. Startled for being discovered Ilya made a mad dash for Hitomi. It wasn't long before a dress was found and fitted.
The rest of the morning moved slowly. Around noon the girls all sat outside for their lunch as a picnic. Hitomi would occasionally glace over to where the meeting was still being held and barely giving more than a word answer to questions. Glancing up yet again Hitomi saw the heavy curtains being pushed back. Standing from her spot Hitomi went back inside the castle to find Van. It wasn't long before she spotted him. Van walked with Dryden at his side both deep in conversation that he didn't see Hitomi until he was nearly in front of her and would have collided with her if Dryden hadn't stopped him. Hitomi could see the worry that etched across his face and it instantly vanished when his eyes met hers. Walking up to Van, Hitomi placed her arms around him.
"Everything will be ok." He whispered to her.
"Where is Alan?" said Hitomi as she pushed slightly away from him.
"He is getting the guardsmen ready for the arriving guests." Van placed a hand on her lower back and directed Hitomi forward.
"Did you tell your advisors about the engagement tonight?"
"Yes. They were surprised to find out that I found someone so fast. When I told them who it was only a few felt disappointed, but with Dryden making you a member of the Ki-Aijou family, you are now royalty in their minds. Everything will be perfect tonight."
Hitomi turned and kissed Van on the cheek and continued walking forward. Stunned momentarily Van quickly caught up. Coming to his room Van told Hitomi to wait outside his door. He entered his bedroom and shut the door behind himself; coming back a few moments later, he held a circular velvet box with a large grin on his face. Placing the box gently in Hitomi's hands Van kept one of his own on top.
"I don't want you to open this until tonight when you are getting ready. This is something that I wanted to give to you as a pre-engagement gift. I'm sorry, but I need to leave in order to be ready early enough for the guests to arrive. I will see you later."
Lifting up one of her hands, Van kissed the top of Hitomi's knuckles and walked away with a smile. Hitomi felt as if she was floating on air. She itched to open the velvet box, but held her hands.
Lady Serra stared out of the window from her lounge chair as the air ship descended just outside Fanelia. The deciduous trees seemed so unfamiliar in comparison to the sharp pine needles in the mountains of Kasher. 'How soft this place feels,' she mused to herself. 'It will be easily taken.' Seeing as the ship had stopped, Lady Serra rose from her seat and walked out to the exit ramp. A carriage waited for her at the bottom as two footmen stood by the door as well as a guard standing at the back. Letting the servants help her, Lady Serra watched as the glowing skyline began to turn a golden color.
It seemed like hours later and guests were finally arriving for the sundown ceremony. Van stood in best white shirt with navy blue pants. Normally he would wear a matching velvet jacket embroidered with gold and black satin around the edges, but it was too hot to wear under the heavy white ceremonial robes. He felt as if he had a smile plastered onto his face the entire time as he watched guests walk in. As hard as he tried he could not find Hitomi, Merle, or Millerna over the crowd of people gathered.
He didn't have much time as the sun had begun to set and the priests were ready to begin the ceremony. Standing in front of the throne, Van stood for what seemed forever for the head priest to give his blessings for the years ahead in his reign as king. Once the ceremony was complete, candles leading to the ballroom for the guests were lit atop of pillars. A servant took off the ceremonial robe Van wore and another gave him the matching jacket. Allen came up next to him and handed Van's sword to him. Giving a grateful nod, Van buckled the belt, scabbard to his left side, and placed the sword in its rightful place. Both men walked into the hall oblivious to the announcement as they entered. Music from the chamber ensemble courted the dancers on the floor.
Van continued to look around until it caught Allen's attention.
"If you are trying to find Lady Hitomi, you are trying too hard." Said Allen, biting the smile on his lips.
"Why do you say that?"
"She is right in front of you at the stairs waiting to be announced after Millerna."
Looking up to the stairs where the guests were entering, there was Millerna with Dryden walking down once announced. Millerna held a smile that was ready to burst from the closeness to Dryden. Her dark blue satin dress looked much like her pink one, but without the white collar. Van and Allen greeted the royal couple at the bottom, but Van was distracted once Hitomi came into his sight. All time seemed to slow down as he watched her standing at the top of the stairs. Hitomi scanned the area before she found Van gazing up at her. Slightly picking up her dress, Hitomi descended the stairs and headed straight for Van whose smile seemed to be the only thing keeping her moving. Van gazed at the sight before him; the peach dress complimented her lightly tanned skin, as did the make-up. Her golden hair was curled with the sides brought to a bun leaving the rest to fall on her shoulders. Around her neck was an intricate gold necklace that in the middle were three flowers each the size of a thumbnail, every one of the petals were a sparkling diamonds. On each ear was a matching earring that didn't dim the light in her eyes.
"Lady Hitomi," Van held out his left arm. Hitomi beamed as she took his arm and let him escort her to Millerna and the others.
Once with their friends, Hitomi let go of Van's arm. Dryden stepped forward and took Hitomi's hand and gently kissed it. "It is nice to see you looking so beautiful cousin. Though, unfortunately you can't steal me away from my own beauty." Millerna looked away blushing fiercely.
"It is nice to be at a ball. I haven't been to a formal ball like this in a long time."
Van held a puzzled look until he received a wink from Dryden. 'So they planned this little conversation.'
"I'm glad that Lady Hitomi could come to my ceremony. Unfortunately you must excuse me, I must speak to other guests here tonight." Van lowered his head close to Hitomi's ear. "I will be back soon, we can announce ourselves then. Afterward we can sneak away." Van bowed low as Hitomi curtsied to him. She watched as her king walked proudly into the crowd.
"Why Arch-Duchess Hitomi Ki-Aijou, you look absolutely lovely tonight."
"Why Sir Allen thank you." Hitomi smiled at the man dressed in his more formal uniform.
"Are you nervous?"
Hitomi nodded, "I just surprised nothing has happened. The last time that I was here Fanelia was turned to ruins because of me." Her voice had trailed off at the end.
"You can't blame yourself for that. Fanelia would have been in a world of trouble if you had not come, its king may not even be here today if it wasn't for you."
"Thank you Allen."
"Allen," Millerna broke into the small conversation, "You need to come with Dryden and myself, there are a few dignitaries that need some reassurance of their safety after the attack yesterday. We look forward to your announcement later Lady Hitomi."
Lady Serra had just finished a long conversation with one of the advisors to King Van Fanel. He had told her about the engagement announcement which only sourer her mood. 'Now there will be a lineage to the Fanel line, the only ones who can stop my plans.' After asking her informant who the lady was Serra began searching the crowd for the soon to be queen.
Merle had excused herself to go grab a waiter with drinks leaving Hitomi standing by herself looking into the crowd. 'There are so many people here. 'How will I ever be able to learn all of the royal families!' Other queenly duties like dinners, other royalties, and living her own life ran through her head, but were stopped short when a woman in a crimson red dress stood in front of her. Lady Serra was stunned at the 'soon to be queen' as young woman stood off from the crowd, yet held a strong air of power around her. 'This is going to make my work much harder now. With this girl beside the king he will do anything for her. I'll have to break her. '
"Good evening my lady. I have been told by the advisors here that you are going to become Van's lady in waiting. I thought it would be nice to meet the soon to be queen of Fanelia. I am Lady Serra of Kasher, duchess of the Kasher Mountains and its forts and you are the Arch-Duchess Hitomi Ki-Aijou." Lady Serra extended her hand to Hitomi. Her black hair accented the shadows on her face frightening Hitomi, but she pushed through the feeling and gently shook the out stretched hand.
"You many call me Lady Hitomi." She said in her hard practiced manner.
"These formalities of ceremonies always drag, it is much nicer to have something to talk about. Have you heard about the attack in Astoria, how terrible for that village." said Lady Serra with mocked sympathy.
"My only hope is that this is some strange misunderstanding."
"As do I," Lady Serra put on a face of terror, "it would be horrific for Gaea if there was another Great War such as the Zaibach War."
Hearing the name, Hitomi shuttered. Lady Serra placed a hand on Hitomi's shoulder.
"Oh my poor dear, I completely forgot that your family had been caught in the middle of that war. But it must be helpful to have your cousin becoming king of Astoria now."
Hitomi hesitated for a moment before nodding yes, but Lady Serra caught the hesitation.
"I had the opportunity earlier to look around the expansive gardens. You are very lucky to be living in an area like this. Nothing that beautiful grows up on the mountains. Although there are some very strange people seem to also wander there."
Hitomi gave a puzzled look, "Who might that be Lady Serra?"
"It was this little blonde haired girl. She was talking by one of the water fountains, but there was no one there. There are just some people who need to be helped, there are plenty of scientists now that can perform amazing operations. Do you know this person, I might be able to let my scientists help her?"
Hitomi's sight began to darken as time suddenly stopped. 'A vision! Now!' As the people around her disappeared walls of stone were replaced her setting. Her eyes wandered down a hall to a chamber where screams were echoing across the cold corridor. Coming to a door it swung open to reveal a girl strapped to a table struggling against strangely suited people. Around the room were several darkened figures. Then a noise came from behind her that had haunted Hitomi since she first came to Gaea. Turning slowly around, she was met with a blade at her throat that was being held by an Oreade. 'But, Zaibach is gone!' The Oreade lifted the blade and had begun swinging. Hitomi was about to raise up her arms when the sight of the ballroom flooded her sight again.
"Lady Hitomi are you alright? I thought that you were looking for someone and must have been distracted because you didn't answer my question."
"I'm fine. What did you ask me?"
"I had asked if you knew the girl because I could help her."
"She happens to be King Van's ward." Hitomi shot an angered glare at Lady Serra. Something inside Hitomi told her that Lady Serra had something to do with the vision and that frightened her to think about that girl tied to the table. Flinching slightly Lady Serra was about to comment when Merle popped in with two drinks before any more words could be exchanged. Merle's tail twitched irritatingly behind her
"Good evening Lady Serra." Merle said through clenched teeth. She handed one of the drinks over to Hitomi.
"Merle," Lady Serra couldn't hide the scowl that was on her face.
"If you will excuse me Lady Hitomi, I have other dignitaries to talk with." Lady Serra swiftly left leaving Hitomi sighing in relief.
"Merle when was the last time you saw Ilya?" said Hitomi slightly worried.
"The last time that I saw her was out in the gardens with Prince Chid."
Hitomi quickly pulled Merle out of the ballroom and into the gardens.
"Hitomi, what is wrong?" Merle tried desperately to keep up with Hitomi's fast pace.
'She better not have harmed her!' Images of Ilya shouting for Hitomi and Van flashed through her mind as she was being dragged away by strange people. It wasn't long before Hitomi and Merle came to the fountain where Ilya was sitting. Hitomi hid behind a bush forcing Merle behind her.
"Hitomi what's up with you? Why are we spying on Ilya?" whispered Merle.
Hitomi shushed Merle as she pointed for her to listen. Ilya was humming some sort of song when a quiet voice spoke up near the fountain.
"I am here Ilya."
Ilya turned to look into the fountain.
"There you are! Where did you go?"
"Don't worry. I'm always watching out for you. Shouldn't you have left by now; I thought I had told you to watch the key." Said the voice sternly. Hitomi looked everywhere, but could not figure out where the voice was coming from.
"I'm sorry." Ilya looked ready to cry, but as Hitomi started to stand up the voice came back.
"Ilya, don't cry. Everything will turn out fine as long as you keep an eye on the key. They have to stay together otherwise the gate will open and I will have no power to stop it. You have to watch out for the royal couple."
"I'm scared," whimpered Ilya.
"You have a draconian protecting you and even if he doesn't know it, he is."
Ilya nodded to the clear sky.
"I will talk to you later Ilya."
Merle was about to jump up, but Hitomi stopped her. A hand on her own shoulder caused her to give an eep.
"Hitomi where have you been, I've been looking all over for you." Van's face was slightly flushed.
"I'm sorry Van I was looking for Ilya."
Van gave her a strange look and his eyes flicked over to Ilya.
"Well, I think you found her. Ilya!"
The little girl jumped from her seat by the fountain and ran over to the others.
"Come on we have an announcement to make." Van looped Hitomi's arm around his and escorted her inside.
As they walked in Hitomi leaned close to Van and whispered in his ear. Van nodded as they entered the ballroom again and went over to the two thrones set up at one end of the room. Letting go of her arm Van walked up to the taller of the two thrones. One of the priests walked forward ushering Hitomi to walk up the carpet. As she stopped beside Van the priest went into his appointed ritual. Words of how Hitomi will now be considered Van's lady in waiting until the wedding ceremony and other duties that she need to learn. Most of the ritual was lost to Hitomi as she concentrated on staying on two feet as both of her legs seemed to turn to jelly. Van reached over to Hitomi and grabbed her hand giving a small squeeze. Hitomi turned and smiled up at him. At one point she nodded a yes to the priest, but her eyes never left Van's. Van leaned over to Hitomi.
"Now no matter who you are, you and I will soon be together."
((((((((((((((((((((o))))))))))))))))))))
Lady Serra watched as the ceremony concluded to the fireworks held out in the gardens. Instead of engaging in social functions, she left in the carriage taking her back to her ship. It wasn't long before it was powered up and lifting off. She watched the colorful explosions as the ship moved away only to be disrupted from the moment by a knock on her chamber doors.
"Come in."
"We have received news from the Dragon Slayers, it has been done."