Beyond Aeaea
DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.
Note: As promised, here is my update. I shall be posting chapters as regularly as I can because I am determined to finish this story by October so that I can start posting another new story. I already have a backlog of potential Folken/Eries stories but I don't want to keep starting things I can't finish.
Chapter Nine
Another meeting which Folken was apprehensive of was that with the twins. Naria and Eria had not been able to attend the wedding (not that they had wanted to) and so they had not yet been introduced to Eries. Folken was well aware of their devotion and protectiveness of him and he was worried that their jealousy of Eries might have some dangerous consequences. Surprising though it may seem, he was more worried about the cat-girls than he had been about Dilandau.
So to prevent any unpleasant occurrences Folken made sure that he would be present during this momentous meeting. What had happened with Dilandau had been an extraordinary stroke of luck which would probably not be repeated with the twins. He had explained the situation to his wife and she bore the news with the same admirable composure and reason that she always had. She steeled herself for what might prove to be an extremely tense encounter and she hoped for the best.
But she had faith in her husband and knew that he would do his utmost to protect her.
On their way to the Vione, the cat-girls were busy speculating about the lady they were about to meet. They were eager to meet Folken's wife more out of curiosity than jealousy. So of course they had tried to learn as much about her as they could before actually seeing her face to face.
General opinion about the princess was favorable and her reputation in Asturia was impressive. She was nothing like her two sisters either in beauty or in talents, but she was beautiful in her own way. The cat-girls were relieved to hear that Eries was not the flirtatious type of woman they feared.
They had heard much about Lady Eries from the soldiers of Zaibach. Having questioned some, they found out that she was very much respected in both Asturia and in Zaibach (at least by those in the lower ranks). General Adelphos was not pleased with her at all but this was not an issue for the twins since they had a great dislike for the cantankerous old officer anyway. And it amused them that a woman had finally put him in his place.
Then, there was the issue of Dilandau's esteem for her. When they had learned about this, Naria and Eria were extremely surprised. There was not a lot of love between the twins and the fiery young captain but they knew him well enough to keep their distance. But they also knew that there were a very, very few people whom Dilandau deemed worthy of his respect. And if Eries was one of these then she must be impressive indeed.
And added to all this was the fact that Folken had chosen her himself. The twins were well aware that their beloved lord would not have accepted just anyone for his wife, no matter how politically advantageous the marriage would be. Above everything they trusted his judgment and were willing to give his wife the benefit of the doubt.
"I don't think she will be so bad, sister," Eria told her twin.
"I certainly hope so," Naria agreed, "for her sake."
So the momentous meeting came and Folken slightly nervously introduced his two charges to his wife. The three women greeted each other with utmost civility but Eries felt, just like she had with Dilandau, that they were eying her very carefully.
Unbeknownst to them all, Dilandau had decided to observe the introduction from a discreet corner. He was eager and amused to see the cat-girls' reaction to Eries and he wondered if they would try anything naughty in the presence of Folken. If anything happened, Dilandau would be more than willing to step in and join the fight. He would be going against the cat-girls, of course. It was always a thrill to spar with them.
Folken stood close by, observing them all, and hoping for the best. So far the cat-girls had not shown any hostility yet. He sincerely hoped their respect for him would overpower any jealousy they felt towards Eries. But he did not want to interfere unless it was absolutely necessary. He knew that if he showed more preference for Eries, it would only mean more trouble for her when he was not around.
But, as was her way, Eries bore everything with admirable composure. Again, she was being circled and sized up, this time by two extremely suspicious girls. But she would not be intimidated.
"It is an honor to finally meet you," she told them, "I have heard so much about you."
"So have we about you," Naria replied.
"My sister and I were very eager to meet you in person," Eria said sincerely.
"Well, I hope that we can be good friends," Eries said earnestly, "and if there is ever anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask."
The sisters were taken aback by such an offer. They had not expected such generosity but they could see that Eries was perfectly sincere. She did not expect the same loyalty and obedience from them as that they felt for Folken. But she wanted to be on good terms with them. And for some reason they could not describe, probably both female and feline intuition, they felt that she could be trusted.
Later on, when they would discuss the matter in private, Eria would comment that there was something comfortingly familiar about Lady Eries' ears.
"Thank you," they both replied politely, even as they struggled with what they would say or do next.
But they didn't want to be carried away by this strange first impression. They looked at each other, communicating silently in the way that only twins can do. They assessed the situation and they were exchanging their impressions.
"Sister, do you think she can be trusted?" Eria asked Naria silently.
"I'm not sure," Naria replied, "I don't know what to think. But I know that I feel comfortable in her presence."
"Me too," Eria answered, "it's almost like how we feel when we're around Lord Folken."
"It's as if she could protect us too," Naria continued her sister's train of thought.
Never had they felt so at ease with another person as they did now. And both sisters were beginning to see what had made even Dilandau learn to respect this strange and gentle lady. She was not physically strong like they were and had no training in battle. But she was strong, they saw it now, and she would be a valuable ally.
But they did not want to be caught off guard. They needed to test her somehow. So both began to think of how they would go about doing so.
Folken and Eries waited patiently as the cat-girls discussed among themselves how they would approach this new situation. Folken was relieved to see that they no longer seemed suspicious or jealous of Eries. But he would not yet risk their displeasure by showing too much affection to Eries at this moment.
Eries found herself relieved and again slightly amused by all that was taking place. Folken had recounted the history of the cat girls to her and she had immediately sympathized with them. And though she also knew the nature of their fondness for Folken, her curiosity to meet them overcame any apprehension she had. Besides, all she had to do was be herself. She knew that they would sense any form of deception anyway. As far as she felt, there was nothing to be afraid of.
The whole time, though, Eries felt that Zaibach was full of interesting and intriguing characters. And she was glad to be able to get to know even just a few of them. She had never met such dangerously fascinating people in Asturia, even when dealing with foreign dignitaries (Folken, of course, excluded.)
From where he was inconspicuously watching, Dilandau wondered what was going on in the wily minds of the twins. But he could already see that they had the same sense of ease and trust in Eries that he had acquired. Winning the cat girls over would be even more impressive to Dilandau because he knew how fiercely loyal and possessive they were of Folken. The silver haired captain grinned. It seemed that Lady Eries' arrival in Zaibach was making life a lot more interesting for them all.
Finally, the twins seemed to conclude their deliberations. They walked in a friendly gait towards their new acquaintance.
"There is just one little thing we want to ask you, Lady Eries," Naria announced.
"Go right ahead," Eries replied congenially.
"But it's only between us three women, if you don't mind, Lord Folken," Eria added, looking at the Strategos significantly.
Folken was surprised by this but he did not sense any danger. He smiled and bowed politely, deciding to give them their privacy. From where he was, Dilandau was wondering what the hell was going on.
The cat girls drew Eries close to them, almost in a huddle, and whispered just one important question.
"The only thing we really want to be certain of is this," Eria began.
"Do you love Lord Folken?" Naria asked earnestly.
"Yes, very much," Eries replied without the hint of hesitation but with the greatest conviction.
The cat girls observed her before looking at each other and nodding. There was no lie in Eries' eyes. She was being perfectly truthful, and they now felt that they could trust her fully. She had not disappointed them.
"Then, we shall be good friends, indeed," Eria told Eries with a grin. Eries returned the gesture.
When the three women turned back to Folken, they were all smiles and the Strategos sighed, as if a thorn had been plucked from his breast. Everything went better than expected.
"You really are something else," Dilandau muttered with satisfaction from where he was watching. But he was already growing bored and so left to do some more training with his guymelef.
After everything had been settled, Folken had to escort the cat-girls back to their training area. The twins bid farewell to their new friend and Eries wished them well.
Before leaving, however, Folken found a moment to commend his wife.
"You never cease to amaze me," he said with pride, "you are always exceeding expectations."
"Thank you," she replied with a smile, "although I do wish that you would raise your expectations a bit higher. I always enjoy a challenge."
Folken had laughed slightly at this and placed a quick kiss on her hand before leaving with the twins.
Several hours after they had departed, a messenger arrived on the Vione, looking for Lady Eries.
"What is it?" she asked him.
"Lady Eries," the herald told her, "King Aston and the Asturian Council are requesting your presence at a very crucial assembly."
Eries frowned as she listened to the details, most of which were sketchy at best. For all the cordial language, she knew well that she could not refuse this invitation. She wasn't being requested, she was being summoned.