The Dragon Priestess

AvalonReeseFanFics

A/N: So here we are, the next installment. These ones should be relatively shorter only because this particular chapter isn't that busy. If there are any readers left, please tell me what you think

Chapter 7: The Gallant Swordsman pt. 1

As the beam came down in the darkness two sets of eyes were watching. Both watched as the comet broke off from the giant beam and crash landed somewhere in the forest.

Allen Schezar, a Knight Caeli, had a more noble reason to search for the comet. Standing at 6'1 this willowy 24 year old had long flowing blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. He wore poufy clothes, the blue uniform of his station and he was certain that the comet was someone in danger.

The mole man, a lowly forager, was after more monetary things. He was a small, balding, portly old man with wiry glasses framing beady eyes. He saw an opportunity to loot an unsuspecting visitor.

Neither had seen something like that. Both were curious about what they would find but neither were quite prepared for what they would find at the end of that comet trail.

Brooke was alone again. She hated being alone. She was holding onto her mother's necklace, hoping to get some sort of guidance from her through it. She had no idea where Van was and she really wished she could find him. The forest was creepy, the animal noises and rustling was scaring her. She knew she wasn't home, and she wasn't in Fanelia, and she was all alone. She really, really hated being alone.

She shouldn't have been wandering all alone in the woods on an alien planet but she was scared and desperately trying to find the only person on this planet that she knew. Why had Van left her all alone?

The walk calmed her down at first, until she started to notice that a certain rustling in the bushes was following her accompanied by a flashing in the shadows as the moon caught something to glint off of. Soon she found herself rushing, but no matter how fast she jogged or ran the rustling followed her.

She was about to break out into a full out sprint when she found herself at the river bank of a river. Yes she could swim quite well but she wasn't certain how well she could swim with a long flowing dress on. Talk about hazard.

She turned, hoping to find a different escape route just in time to see a portly man in all browns already flying through the air to her. She had time to scream one name before the man tackled her into the water.

Van!

He had been alone in the woods up until that moment. He had been staring at the stars wondering if Brooke had been sent home. Though he knew it was a good thing if she had gone home he couldn't help but feel just a little upset that she wasn't gone.

But she wasn't gone.

She was somewhere in that forest with him and she needed him. Van abandoned his Escaflowne in a heartbeat, rushing through the trees. He ran until he came to the river and saw something he had never seen before.

It was the middle of summer, everything was hot and heavy and yet ice was on the river. Not just sitting on the surface but above, as if something had fallen in and as it did so the waves had all frozen over as it splashed up. The icicles stood above the water sparkling in the moonlight. Van stared at it looking carefully at the surface and that was how he noticed that it was Brooke who was trapped under the frozen surface.

Van didn't think twice he jumped onto the ice, smashing it with his fists until they shattered the ice. He reached into the hole and grabbed a hold of her, hoisting her out of the water. Luckily she hadn't been submerged but instead floating upon the surface. If he didn't know any better he'd say that she had been encased in the ice to protect her.

He pulled her up into his arms and took but one step on the bank before he was looking at the point of a sword.

Van stared at the man holding the sword at him not liking the vibe he gave off. He tightened his grip on Brooke and stared the man down. "What have you done to her?" he growled. "If she's dead I'll..."

"I did nothing but save her," the blonde man snapped.

More men appeared and Van's heart raced. He had to get Brooke to safety before he could fight him. A man with dark blue hair came up to him a smug smile on his face.

"Give the witch to him," the blonde ordered.

"She is not a witch!" Van growled but there was nothing to do to stop the blue haired man from taking Brooke out of his arms.

The men moved to a boat docked near-by and Van went for his sword. He could take them, save Brooke, get to Escaflowne and get back to Fanelia before sunrise. This would be easy.

"Don't!" the blonde suddenly barked. "Don't draw!"

"What?" Van snapped.

"If you draw your sword I will have no choice but to answer steel with steel. If I have to fight you, it will be to the death," the blonde warned.

Van glared at him challengingly and drew his blade anyways. The blonde sighed. "So be it!"

Van roared and charged forward. He swung and missed as the blonde swing as well. Unfortunately he didn't miss.

The last thing Van remembered before blacking out was throwing up.

Brooke.

The voice floated through the air. It sounded so familiar. She was standing in a field staring at a highway. She didn't understand where she was.

There cannot be two. Our world will not allow it.

—Then they won't be on your world

Brooke could see a car now. A car she recognized. She took another wild look around and realized where she was. That was her family care. This was the night of the accident.

"No..." she whispered. "I don't want to see this!"

There can never be two. There can never be two!

A binding light hit them and Book covered her eyes and screamed.

"Whoa!"

That voice wasn't hers, nor that small voice that had been whispering to her. She opened her eyes and saw that she was in a large room and there were candles above her, jutting from the walls, the flames flaring up.

Whispers burnt her ears. Did you see that? A witch I tell you. She must be strong to use her powers in her sleep.

She was getting the witch thing again? Why was she getting that now, what was that about powers? And where the hell was she now? There was no telling how nice these people would be. She turned her head, ready to jump out that window beside her and her eyes found the most handsome man she had ever seen. She no longer wanted to escape.

Tall, blonde, elegant and he was smiling at her. A smile she selfishly wanted to be only for her. Her heart melted. There was no way in the world that he wasn't a nice person. She would totally be safe here.

"Good morning little lady," he said warmly. "How are you feeling?"

Brooke looked out the window she was beside to confirm. The Mystic Moon was hanging in the sky and she sighed. Well wishing for home had been futile.

She turned to him with a sigh. "Well, I'm still lost but I'm not alone anymore so I guess I'm better off than before," she replied.

He chuckled at her. "That's good. I'm glad that you're alive."

Brooke stared at him skeptically. What did he mean alive? Behind him she caught a room full of rough looking men staring at her. They were all staring at her with devious eyes. One might even say lecherous.

"Don't worry about them. My name is Allen Schezar and it is my duty as a Knight Caeli, nay as a man, to protect you," he declared loudly.

Brooke stared at him, trying so hard not to laugh. He couldn't have meant something so corny so seriously but the look on his face said otherwise.

Staring into his sincere blue eyes Brooke just couldn't hold it in. She covered her mouth with her hands as the first of her giggles escaped her. He got a quizzical look on his face and her laughter grew.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "But that was the corniest line I've ever heard. However did you manage to say all of that with a straight face?"

"Corny!" he echoed insulted by her words. He turned to the men behind him to say: "I've never gotten that reaction before."

The men behind him were chuckling wit her while she laughed and Allen scowled. He thought that this would keep the men's attention but the door suddenly banged open.

"Boss, the kid's woken up!" the guard announced.

Brooke peered at the door and saw Van, his hands in chains and a scowl on his face. Brooke was instantly delighted to see the familiar face.

"Van!" she cried launching herself from the cot she had been on. The light summer dress she had been wearing was damp, and though she wondered why, at that moment she couldn't have cared less.

She sprinted the distance between he and her and jumped at him when she got closer. Her arms encircled around his neck and she stilled.

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered in his ears.

There was a moment's silence and then she realized he wasn't hugging her back. She pulled away and saw a pink tinge on his cheeks. Was he not excited to see her as well?

"Uh... didn't you wonder where...?"

"Of course I did," he snapped. "I am very glad you're safe too."

"Then why didn't you hug me?" she asked pouting up at him.

Van gestured to his bound hands and Brooke felt foolish. "Oh, right."

At that point Allen cleared his throat. Brooke turned around and one of Van's hands grabbed her and pulled her to his side.

"I rather gathered that there was some sort of relationship between you two. Are you married?" he asked.

Brooke wanted to tell him that she was free as a bird but Van, who was holding her hand tightly had other ideas.

"Yes," he said clearly and curtly. She turned to him and caught a stare that suddenly made her nervous. Maybe these weren't good people. They had arrested and tied up Van after all. Maybe he knew something she didn't. She turned back to Allen with a smile and nodded in agreement.

It was probably safer for her to just agree. Van had a title, he could keep her from getting sold as a slave or worse.

Allen bowed his head politely. "Come, we will talk on the terrace," he said softly.

The Guard unchained Van and as soon as Allen had turned away pulled Brooke to him and hugged her as a hard as he could.

Van sat with Allen at the table. He was permanently scowling now. The sun was coming up and he wanted nothing more than to go back to Fanelia. He was king, the people need him. He did not have time for a vacation.

Plus, he really didn't like the way Allen was looking at Brooke. The sooner he separated those two, the happier he would be. Allen had confiscated Van's sword and wouldn't let him have it back, but he had also tried to feed them.

Van had yet to touch it, but Brooke had. Allen had watched all too closely as Van had explained what everything was and as Brooke chose her morsels to eat.

"So... your majesty. I believe your story so far," Allen said softly. "But not the part about your wife."

Van bristled, if Allen could see his anger he ignored it. "I don't believe she is Fanelian. I don't believe she's from anywhere around here."

Brooke turned her worried eyes to Van, who—under the table—put a hand on her knee to reassure her. He could feel it then, the coldness of her skin and her shivering. Partially concerned he put an arm around her to give her some sort of warmth.

"My wife's origin in none of your concern!" Van growled. "You have verified the truth of my story and I have apologized for crossing your borders without warning. Now give me back my guymeluf—Escaflowne—and let us return to Fanelia."

Allen shook his head. "I'm afraid there's nothing for you to return to. Fanelia was burnt to the ground."

Brooke gasped in horror, while Van sat there stunned. "No... you're lying!" he cried

"Unfortunately it's true. An Asturian Trade ship witnessed it," Allen said. "As allies I—and Asturia—will provide you asylum. Provided you tell me what your wife is."

Van shook his head. "What is your fascination with my wife?" he cried.

Allen shrugged. "Her peculiar talents," he said. "She has the ability to manipulate elements like I have never seen before. I must know what she is and whether or not she's a hazard before I allow both of you to stay."

Van was silent momentarily. So that ice reaction had been Brooke's doing after all. He had been worried it was.

"Van... what is he talking about?" Brooke asked.

Van turned to her. "I found you encased in ice at the river," he whispered.

"I was in what now?" Brooke cried.

Van turned back to Allen. "She... she's from the Mystic Moons. I... uh... travelled there recently and brought her back with me."

Allen sized Brooke up before whispering. "The curse of the Mystic Moons."

Brooke frowned and Van took a hold of her hand. He didn't believe in that curse and neither should she.

"Don't worry," Allen said quickly. "I don't believe in old wives tales."

Brooke seemed relieved by this and though that was good, Van still wanted to get on the road to home. Suddenly Brooke went from smiling to deadpan. She sat up straighter in her chair, she was scarcely breathing and her eyes had gone glassy. Van had seen that look before.

"They're back," she whispered and Van felt his heart stop.

Brooke suddenly launched to her feet and turned, her glassy brown eyes on the sky. Van stood with her, waiting, hoping this wasn't like that time in the temple.

Allen had stood as well, "What does she see?" he asked.

At that moment a fortress appeared in the sky. Black and imposing it floated in front of the sun making everything go black again. A door opened and out poured a stream of very familiar guymelufs.

Brooke grabbed Van's arm and squeezed it tightly. "Those are the guymelufs that attacked Fanelia," she said. "Van! What are we going to do? We can't stay here."

"This time I'm not running," Van said with a dangerous tone. Brooke could see the angry determination on his face and wisely stopped talking. She didn't let go of his arm though and he found courage in the gesture. He sort of felt that with her by his side he could face and do anything.