Beyond Aeaea

DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.

Note: Thanks for the reviews. This chapter goes well with "Shadow of a Doubt" in the background.

Chapter One

A greater cold settled over the stony, ancient halls of the Asturian royal palace as a guest made his way through the place. The tall, stately figure, clad completely in a dark cloak made resolute steps towards the throne room. His eyes were cold and his expression passive and there was a severe air about him that made even the other servants shy away. He did not mind this in the least as he was accustomed to such reactions to his person.

The sharp coldness which constantly surrounded him had always struck fear (or at the least, great uneasiness) in the hearts of those who came in contact with him. Such had it been for close to a decade now and he had grown indifferent to his effect on other people. At times, such a presence made it easier to negotiate with others.

Strategos Folken of Zaibach was in deep thought about the meeting that was just about to take place. It was not his first visit to the coastal country of Asturia but it was the first time he was going to on official business without the company of the other Zaibach officials. It seemed that his position as high diplomat of the empire was finally being put to the test.

King Grava Efud Aston was considered one of the most difficult leaders to deal with, especially when it came to international relations in Gaea. He was a shrewd and manipulative leader who had kept his country prosperous through various effective means (sometimes even underhanded). And although he did not act outwardly like a cruel tyrant, none of his subjects dared oppose him openly. He was that much of a force to be reckoned with.

And yet, in spite of this king's reputation, Folken felt quietly confident that he and Aston would come to an agreement. After all, the Strategos' own reputation as a negotiator and representative of the Zaibach Empire was not to be trifled with.

Asturia was not a warring country but its mercantile power was bound to be a great asset to Zaibach in the coming years. Folken knew this well and Emperor Dornkirk was depending on him to establish firm and healthy relations with Asturia in order to make the most of their resources. The seafaring nation would need Zaibach's military protection and technological contributions while Zaibach could make some good use of the Asturian navy and its wealth of raw materials.

All these political and economic considerations played in the Strategos' mind as he continued his walk towards the King's meeting area. He had made ample research and preparation for this official visit and he had a well-rehearsed speech in his head. Every risk had been taken into consideration, everything carefully calculated and planned. Folken himself had seen to everything himself, to minimize mistakes and possible faux pas.

And yet, as annoying as this was for the organized and conscientious Strategos, something did not feel right enough. It was not something he could explain or analyze. Everything that was observable was under control. But there still was an unknown element that was out of place somehow and it was frustrating because he could not foretell or avoid whatever consequences would follow.

Folken didn't even know if the mystery would be beneficial or not. All he could feel (and he was not the type of person to trust in hunches and emotions) was that an unanticipated event was going to take place this very evening, during his meeting with King Aston.

The Zaibach Intelligence told him nothing suspicious and their spies in Asturia had nothing to report so he could not be sure what lay before him, beyond the grand double doors of the throne room. He had finally reached it. Staring up at the gilded ornaments, the doors engraved with the Asturian coat of arms as well as the figure of Jichia, the dragon-god of the sea, Folken narrowed his eyes.

He wasn't accustomed to being nervous or wary of anything. And that inexplicable hunch of his told him that it was not King Aston whom he should be anxious about. After all, he had pretty much figured out that king and his ways. No, it was something else.

A vision flashed before his eyes, fleeting and almost unrecognizable, a face from a memory he had tucked away in the deepest recesses of his mind.

Folken shook his head, banishing the image from his mind. He didn't need any unnecessary distractions, especially now.

This is it, he thought with a sigh, the sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can get back to things I can actually comprehend.

He entered the room quietly and carefully. The King sat waiting on his throne, a grave and expectant expression on his face. Folken bowed respectfully and made the proper greetings.

Aston acknowledged him with a nod and beckoned him to come closer. As Folken obeyed the order, he noticed some movement coming from the shadowy pillar next to the king. Aston seemed to be calling someone as well.

And when the figure emerged, Strategos Folken stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes resting on the person's face.

She too seemed to catch sight of him and their gazes met. Fortunately for both, they had both had a lifetime of practice in masking their true emotions so their faces betrayed nothing. And they somehow managed to keep their stares merely intent and not revelatory.

"I failed to mention in our last correspondence, Lord Folken," Folken heard the King's voice echo in the hall, "that we are to be joined today by one of my most trusted advisers, my second daughter, Eries Aria Aston."

Folken managed to tear his eyes away from her face to nod in acknowledgment at the king but beneath his dark, black cloak, his mechanical hand balled up into a fist.

She looked just as she did two years ago, although he could see that there was more wisdom and gravity in those deep eyes of hers. And she did not seem to know him. Was he hallucinating?

"...memory plays tricks on us all..."

He certainly did not need such a distraction and neither did she. Nevertheless, he felt himself drawn to her with the same ineffable force that had drawn them both to that mysterious island.

He needed to be sure it was her, and there was only one way to do that.

Slowly but surely, the Strategos of Zaibach walked towards the second Princess of Asturia. Once before her, he gave a small bow which she returned with a small curtsy.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Princess Eries," he said cordially.

"And yours as well, Lord Folken," she replied with equal deference.

And then, with uncharacteristic gallantry, he took her left hand in his, slightly brushing her left thumb with his cold fingers, and brought it to his lips.

At that moment the tiny brands on their thumbs glowed and burned their skin, and they both knew that their fates were irrevocably entwined.