Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
Chapter 9
In the carriage riding through the city, heading for the coast
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Hitomi sat up on the seat looking out the carriage window at the sights of the city as they passed by. Currently, the carriage was taking her through the market district of town on its way to the coast. All sorts of shops lined the way. Vendors were selling everything from breads and wines to fresh meat and fish, from raw fabrics to tailored gowns, and everything in between.
'I can't get over how alive this city is. It was less then a year ago when the entire city was devastated by Dilandau and his Zaibach Guymelefs. Looking at it now, I could hardly believe such a thing actually happened.' She mused.
As the carriage left the city limits and followed the road down to the coast, Hitomi caught sight of a huge pile of charred debris where several workers were busy shoveling it onto ox-like drawn carts. Seeing the men laboring hard to do away with the remains of the old city caused her smile to vanish and when she spotted what she was certain was the skeletal remains of a human hand being tossed into the cart by the unsuspecting worker, she turned away, fighting the urge to cry.
"It was no nightmare. It really did happen and people really did lose their lives here." She closed her eyes and sat back. This was not the reason she came back to Gaea. Remembering the war and the destruction it brought was something she wished she could purge from her mind forever. "Van… he's the reason I'm here. I'm here because of Van." The image of the king as he caressed her face last night came back to her. A look filled with compassion and love. Reflecting on that image brought her smile back. She held onto that thought the rest of the way to the seashore.
As the carriage came to as halt, one of Van's personal attendants approached the carriage and opened the door, extending a hand to help the young lady down.
"Thank you." The young lady offered.
The servant bowed deeply. "It is my pleasure Ma'Lady."
Looking around the modest port she asked. "Where is Lord Van?"
"His Majesty is completing his inspection of his flag ship, The Lady Vari. He should be along any moment now." He informed her.
"Oh, well thank you. By the way, my name's Hitomi Kanzaki." She extended her hand. "What's your name?"
The servant gasped and took a step back bowing low. "Ma'am, I am but a humble servant. I do not deserve to be regarded in such a familiar way by the Priestess from the Mystic Moon."
"Priestess? Who ever said I was a Priestess? I'm just a normal high school girl. Okay, I may be from the Mystic Moon, but that doesn't make me anyone special." She tried to assure him.
Slowly the servant began to straighten up when they heard the commanding voice of the king.
"Hitomi!" He waved as he walked up the pier to greet his guest. As Hitomi turned to wave back to him, the servant used this opportunity to make a hasty retreat.
"Oh, he's gone." She whispered as she looked back to where the attendant had been just a moment ago.
"I'm glad you were able to make it." Van said as walked up to her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
The brown-haired girl was startled just for a moment as she wrapped her arms around his waist and shared the hug with him. 'Mmm, I can get used to this.' She smiled.
As Van pulled away and took her hand he asked. "Was there a problem with my attendant?"
"Problem? No, no problem." She replied.
"Good." He began to guide her up a short path to a clearing that overlooked the port. "I've arranged to have our meal served to us up here. In this way you can have a clear view of the sea." He explained as they walked hand-in-hand.
"Thank you. That was very thoughtful." She smiled.
At the top of the clearing, a canopy was erected with a table and two chairs under it. Two servants stood at the ready to seat and serve the king and his guest. As they took their seats, Van asked. "So, what do think of our merchant fleet?" He gestured to the six ships docked long the port.
Hitomi looked at the six modestly sized ships and grinned. Well, it's very… very…"
"Small." Van finished. "I know, but it is a start. Until now, Fanelia has never had a merchant fleet. Since we're surrounded by forest with only this small path serving as an outlet to the sea, we've never seen a need for a merchant fleet before. Fanelia had always been rather self-sufficient."
"And now?" Hitomi asked.
"Times change. With our boarder so close to the Zaibach Empire and our kingdom so small, we've had to take precautions to ensure we never have a repeat of the devastation that occurred a year ago."
"So you've…"
"Well, we have a standing army that is five times the size of the army we had before the attack and we've established both political and economic ties with our neighboring kingdoms. This small fleet is just the start of what I hope will someday be a great fleet that will trade with other kingdoms all over Gaea."
Hitomi smiled. "That's great, but wouldn't it be better to have the kind of flying ships that Freid has for its merchant fleet."
Van took a drink from his mug. "Its part of a compromise we've had to make with our neighbors. Since we've built an army so large, we're considered a threat by some of our own allies. So to ensure our peaceful intentions we agreed not to have an airborne fleet. It is a handicap but one that I've deemed acceptable."
"But why so much concern over the Zaibach Empire? I mean Dornkirk is dead. Surely, they're not a threat any longer, are they?"
"One cannot be too sure. Yes, Dornkirk is gone but there are still several generals that via for power within the Empire. Zaibach has been very unstable these past six months. Leadership has changed hands at least four times and there seems to be no end in sight. If a more militant faction seizes control, they may use Zaibach's considerable military might to expend their sphere of control. That would bring them in direct conflict with Fanelia. I will not allow my kingdom to be the object of another Zaibach power play."
The forcefulness of the king's last statement caused Hitomi to gasp slightly and turn way.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to get so worked up." He smiled and placed a comforting hand on hers. "As for now, my agents assure me there is little chance of any type of invasion from the Zaibach. They have to many internal problems to worry about expansion at this time."
The servants set their plates before them and bowed politely.
"Well, shall we eat?" The kings asked with a smile.
"Yes, lets." His special guest smiled back and picked up her fork.
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AN: Okay, now before I get blasted for referring to Hitomi as a Priestess, let me explain where that came from. From what I recall, in the Escaflowne Movie, she is referred to as the Winged Goddess. That is not what I'm referring to here. Rather, I borrowed the idea from Fushigi Yugi, the idea of a girl from a different world being regarded as a priestess. Here it is simply a rumor going around be the common folk. But as she says to the servant, she denies any such title or position.
To all those who've taken the time to review my story, thank you so very much for your words of encouragement. It really means allot to me. ^___^
A. Amishi