Beyond Aeaea
DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.
NOTE: I cannot write an Escaflowne story without including my favorite character in the series. As much as I love the Folken/Eries couple, Dilandau will always be number one in my heart.
Here is his reaction to the news. And I post this update on his birthday.
EDIT: This was supposed to be posted yesterday but this site would not let me log in. Sorry for the delay.
Chapter Four
"So the rumors are true then?" asked a mockingly amused voice, "Strategos Folken is really getting married."
Folken entered the room from which the voice had originated.
He knew very well who had said those words. And as busy as the Strategos was with all the necessary preparations for the wedding, not to mention all his other duties, he decided it would be a brief (although slightly irritating) respite to speak with the man within.
Although Folken was the superior officer, he was often defied by this junior officer who thought very highly of himself. And yet, somehow Folken felt that this arrogant and stubborn young man would play a vital role in all the Emperor's plans, and this went beyond the boy's military prowess.
Folken decided that it would be wise to speak to him and in so doing have an idea of what the mischievous captain was planning. It was so much better to err on the side of caution.
Folken entered quietly and calmly, as was his manner and showed no reaction whatsoever to the other man's teasing.
Dilandau Albatou sat in full armor, his booted legs propped up on a table where a half-empty bottle of vino was placed.
The other contents of the bottle were in a goblet which the young captain held to his lips. His crimson eyes sparkled with purpose. The pale, silver-haired young man seemed to be in a particularly good mood.
And with Dilandau, that never boded well.
Folken narrowed his eyes at the younger man but said nothing.
Dilandau watched the Strategos with mischievous amusement since he greatly enjoyed getting on Folken's nerves.
"I suppose I should congratulate you then," the sly captain said with a sinister grin.
Folken acknowledged this with a slight nod. He would endure whatever the boy had to say because he needed to know what Dilandau was up to.
And deep inside the Strategos, he felt a slight protective streak for this delinquent captain, who was the same age as his younger brother.
Folken took an empty goblet and poured some of the wine into it. Dilandau's bright red eyes followed the other man's every movement.
"I don't see why you should act so surprised, Dilandau," Folken said calmly, "such arrangements are not uncommon in Gaea, especially when countries need to form strategic alliances."
"I am well aware of that, Lord Folken," Dilandau answered matter-of-fact-ly, "what surprised me was hearing that you yourself suggested it to Emperor Dornkirk."
Folken saw what Dilandau meant. Most of them never acted without direct orders from the Emperor and he himself had followed that practice.
But it was only on this occasion that Folken proposed a political maneuver to the Emperor. Of course, once he gave the necessary arguments, Dornkirk had agreed. But all the other officers had been shocked at Folken's audacity.
"As I said," Folken answered, "the practice is not such a rare one in Gaean politics."
"You are the last person I expected to act so impulsively though," Dilandau continued mischievously, "you usually think things through before you act. That habit of yours is sometimes so tedious."
"And what makes you think I didn't think this through?" Folken asked, trying not to sound offended.
Not that that would matter to Dilandau.
"Come on, Folken," Dilandau chided, leaning forward, "you had only just met the girl! And the next thing we know, you arranged to marry her."
"Before anything, Dilandau," Folken interrupted, "you will not refer to my future wife in such informal terms. She is a princess of Asturia and well worthy of your respect. And she is also six years your senior. Do not speak of her so candidly."
Immediately after he had spoken, Folken realized that this was just the reaction Dilandau had been prodding him to give. Instead of being ashamed of his rudeness, Dilandau simply smiled with satisfaction.
But such comments were unavoidable and Folken knew that he would have had to tell Dilandau off regardless of the situation. Sometimes the young man had to know that such misbehavior was not to be tolerated.
Folken was forever thankful that no one had gotten the hare-brained idea of placing Dilandau in the diplomatic corps.
"The princess, then," Dilandau conceded haughtily, "and exactly what did you see in her that induced you to this little arrangement?"
"As I have already explained to you and the rest of the Zaibach Empire," Folken began, trying to keep a level head, "this marriage is to cement an important military and economic alliance with Asturia. And with Princess Eries being next in line for the throne, the benefits we can reap out of this alliance will only increase in the near future."
Dilandau rolled his eyes and shook his head, laughing slightly. Folken did not take the bait.
"I'm sure that's a very convenient and well-rehearsed excuse, Folken," the young man commented, "and no doubt well accepted by everyone else, but I think that there's more to it."
"Your opinion has no bearing on the matter," Folken stated simply. Anything Dilandau would imply would not damage any of his plans. The boy merely wanted to stir some trouble between them. But Folken doubted that Dilandau's mischief would escalate to anything serious.
After all, the captain was merely finding something to pass the time before he went back to his intensive military training. There was nothing that Dilandau liked most.
Dilandau merely laughed Folken's last comment.
"I didn't think you would be so sensitive about this, Strategos," Dilandau added, "it only confirms my suspicions."
"And those are?" Folken asked, slightly curious but half guessing the answer.
"Simply that you've taken a fancy to the princess, that's all," Dilandau announced with a half-repulsed and half-amused grin, "I would have never imagined you to be such a silly, love-sick idiot."
"Don't be ridiculous, Dilandau," Folken replied coolly, "I have no time to humor such irrational, unfounded accusations."
Folken took this as his cue, stood up, and made his way out of the room. Dilandau cackled diabolically behind him.
"Not as unfounded as you may think, Strategos," the dragon slayer taunted, "and you're not exactly in the position to tell me I'm being irrational."
Folken did not turn to face Dilandau but he stood still, waiting for the tirade to end. The bottle of vino was now nearly empty from Dilandau's continual consumption.
"I suppose you should be going off to order flower arrangements and such," the crimson-eyed soldier continued to taunt sarcastically, "my regards to your future wife and I am looking forward to being a part of the entourage!"
Folken left the highly amused (and intoxicated) captain to his devices. He knew that Dilandau would soon drop the issue because the new Alseides units were almost ready to be inspected and tested. No doubt, that would keep the restless warrior preoccupied for some weeks.
Nevertheless, Folken decided to be wary. This little conversation was a warning of sorts.
For all his subordination and mischief, Dilandau could be a very keen observer. And what the vicious young captain decided to do about his observations was always potentially dangerous.
His crimson eyes were sparkling with crimson eyes were sparkling with purpose.