AN: Here is chapter 10 for you. Some insight on Folken for you.
Disclaimer: I only own Arathnia, and the characters from there. I do not own Escaflowne, even though I wish I did.
* mark dream sequences.
- mark visions.
The Past, Future, and Somewhere in Between
Chapter 10 Three Times a Traitor (Changed Title at last moment)
Van and General Avanon decided that it would be unwise to travel though the foreign land at night. Instead, they decided to stay in Scorpigal until morning. They were not sure how far it was till the next town, so they did not want to risk getting lost in the darkness of the night. They rented two rooms, one for the girls, and one for the men.
It was late at night when a strange sound roused Van from his light sleep. He sat up in his bed, and was not surprised to see the other men still sound asleep in their beds. They were all exhausted from their long journey to the small merchant town. He sighed shaking his head. He must be hearing things. However, as soon as he settled back down into bed, the noise started up again. This time it was obvious that it was coming from the tavern downstairs. Knowing that he could not sleep, he rose from his bed. He slowly walked towards the door, taking great care as to not wake his sleeping comrades. It seemed he was a much lighter sleeper than he thought. He wondered down the halls of the Inn, down the stone staircase, and stepped into the dim light of the nearly vacant tavern. The noise was not quite as loud downstairs, but he could tell that it was coming from the back room of the tavern. He looked around the tavern. Most of the people inside were merchants that were chatting loudly to each other, holding stiff drinks in their dirt smeared hands. They seemed to mostly be talking about business, or their families back home. His eyes fell upon a lone figure sitting alone in the shadowed corner. His silver hair gave him away instantly. The man was his older brother Folken.
Van's lips tightened into a thin straight line, and his eye's narrowed at the man. He slowly walked over to the table in the darkest corner of the tavern. Folken sat back, his eyes staring into the full glass sitting on the table in front of him. He appeared to be deep in thought. "Folken," He spat, standing about five feet away from the table.
The silver haired man looked up from his drink. "Van," He greeted with a stiff nod. His voice was cold, and void of any emotion. He gestured to the vacant seat across from him with his metal arm. "Please sit."
Van looked at his brother skeptically before slowly shuffling over to the table. He sat down crossing his hands over his chest. Silence passed over the two brothers for a few moments before Van found the voice to speak. "How are you here?" He demanded, his eyes burning into his brother's. "You died in Zaibach."
Folken sighed taking a sip of his drink. "It's complicated." The phrase echoed through Van's mind irritating him. Folken was never a very straightforward person.
Van's eyes narrowed at the older man that he had once proudly called his brother. "We have all night," He hissed through clenched teeth. Folken was not getting away with his old tricks so easily this time around. This would be the second time he had escaped death, and joined with the enemy. First Zaibach, and now Arathnia. He was not going to allow himself to be hurt by his brother's betrayal again.
Folken sighed sensing the emotions rolling off of his younger brother in waves. The sadness, the hate, and the most prominent, the anger. That one seemed to radiate off of him in a suffocating way. "This is not how I wanted things to be," He began slowly. "I wanted our reunion to be much happier than this," He gazed into his half-empty glass, as if it contained all the answers to life's questions. "I had a debt to repay, and I have spent the last two years attempting to repay that debt," Folken spoke, his eyes traveling from the frothy beverage to meet his younger brother's hate filled gaze. "I never intended to hurt you again," He stated leaning back against the wooden chair.
"What kind of debt?" He questioned, his garnet eyes staring at him from under his shaggy black hair. They sparkled at him, his rage clearly evident in those scarlet depths. Folken had to give his brother some credit. He was quite intimidating to look at, and he could reel in anger in much better than he used to. Both were assets the boy needed as a king.
Folken shook his head clearing his thoughts. "A knight of Arathnia saved my life," He stated his hands abandoning his glass. He folded the limbs over his chest. "I owed her, and Queen Brahne my life, and I have been working as a knight in her kingdom in order to repay my debt and finally live my life as a free man," He stated seriously, meeting his brother's scrutinizing eyes. "Away from Zaibach, away from Arathnia, and away from Fanelia," He continued his voice rising slightly with his indignation. "I've never been my own man, and it is about time that I was."
Van bit his cheek in an attempt to hold the angry words at bay. He wanted so badly to let them spill past his lips, but they just pooled like poison in his mouth, polluting it and creating a sour taste in his mouth. "So you spent the last three years here, and you couldn't even let me know that you were alive?" He spat, finding himself unable to hold back any longer. He was disgusted with the man. "You have been living life in luxury as an Arathnian knight while I have been slaving away re-building Fanelia. Our home country, which you destroyed!" He ranted, his voice rising with each syllable he spoke. He rose to his feet.
Folken sighed shaking his head slightly. His brother was too hot-headed for his own good. This is exactly how he had gotten into trouble in the past. "Van, you don't understand..."
Van slammed his fist down on the wooden table top, effectively cutting of the older man's words. "Don't tell me that I don't understand!" He yelled. "I understand perfectly well," He stated bitterly. Without another word, the young king turned his heel. He stormed off disappearing up the curved steps leading towards the bedrooms.
Folken let out a sigh of defeat, and slammed the rest of his drink down his through carelessly. The alcohol burned it's way all the way down, but it felt good. It relieved some of the mixed emotion swirling around his mind. For that, he was glad. Van had aways been the passionate one. Especially when it came to friends, and his country. Their country. He growled, slamming his metal fist on the table. He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself, and ordered another drink.
Hitomi watched the two brother's interact from the doorway leading to the stairs. She remained in the shadows as she watched Van storm away from the table with his fists clenched tightly at his sides. She shook her head disapprovingly. That was definitely not how you solved a problem with your family. She watched Folken's small display for a moment, feeling slightly sorry for the older man. It took her a minute of convincing herself, but ultimately she decided to go over and talk to him herself. She had her own set of questions for him.
"Folken," She greeted once she reached his table.
He looked up at her solemnly, anger present in his eyes. She was not sure if the anger was directed at her, Van, or himself. The barmaid came, and placed his drink in front of him. He picked it up, bringing it up to his lips. "I suppose you hate me now too," He spat taking a swig.
Hitomi instantly shook her head in response. "No, I don't hate you," She replied sitting herself down in the now vacant seat across from him. "I don't agree with what you have done, but I am sure that you have your reasons," She stated honestly. There was no point in being mad at him for events that had already taken place. What's done is done. The past was in the past. She left it at that.
Folken smirked, "You always have a strange way of understanding things," He mused placing his drink back down on the table.
She shrugged, "Maybe it's a gift," She stated simply. "Van will understand in time."
He could not help but chuckle at her statement. "Never one to cast the first stone. It's good to see that you haven't changed much," He commented taking another gulp of his drink. At the rate he was going, she was sure that he would be here all night.
"What happed Folken? What does Queen Brahne want with Van?" She questioned, hoping that the knight knew something his brother's situation.
The silver haired man sighed. Looking at him in the light, she could see that he had not changed much since she had last seen him. The most obvious difference was the absence of the purple teardrop tattoo that had once been on his cheek. The long silver locks of his hair fell into his face casting a shadow over his maroon eyes. They were a few shades lighter than Van's eyes, and lacked his intensity. "Queen Brahne is a wise and intelligent woman. She is a wonderful Queen," He stated once again leaning back against his chair. He shifted his position a lot. The seeress couldn't help but notice that the last part of that statement sounded a bit forced. "When it boils down to it, she will do whatever is in Arathnia's best interest. I am afraid that I do not know why she has such an interest in Van and Fanelia. I am guessing that it has something to do with the princess. Something that will benefit Arathnia, regardless of what should happen to Fanelia," He explained resting his metal arm on the table.
Hitomi eyed him curiously. That whole spiel sounded entirely too rehearsed for her to wrap her head around completely. However, she pushed it back into the recesses of her mind to ponder at a later date. "How come news of your apparent resurrection hasn't spread past Arathnia?" She asked. That question had been itching at the back of her mind since he had explained his reasoning to Van. It was very curious indeed.
He downed the remnants of his drink, and slammed the empty glass back down on the table. She jumped slightly at the sound. His eyes met hers. She could not quite place the look in his eyes as he let out a sigh. "To the people of Arathnia, I am Folken Strategos. To them, there is no Folken LeCour de Fanel. The only one who knows my true identity is Queen Brahne. She knew all along. Well you, Van and the rest of your friends as well," He explained his eyes shifting away from her gaze. Instead, he stared intently at a small crack in the wooden table top. "Not even Galaxia knows. She should, but she doesn't," He continued.
At this point she was sure that he was talking more to himself than to her. She cleared her throat loudly 'causing his head to snap up, and his gaze fall back onto her. "What's with you and Galaxia?" She asked tilting her head to the side slightly. "You were awful worried about her when she got injured."
His shoulders visibly stiffened, and his face returned to a blank slate. It was obvious to her that there was something that he did not want her to know. However, whatever he told her would suffice. She was not about to pry into the older man's life. "She saved my life," He began, a small smile appearing on his lips. "She's my teacher, my mentor. She has taught me a lot about life, and most of what I know on the battlefield," He continued. She could see a fondness in his eyes as he spoke of the golden haired woman. "She's is truly a remarkable woman, and a formidable opponent. I was rather surprised Van could get the upper hand in that fight. He tends to rely to much on his anger as opposed to strategy," He concluded, the look of fondness disappearing almost as instantly as it had appeared.
She could tell that it was more than respect that he held for Galaxia. She pushed that though aside, shifting their conversation to a more interesting topic. "What did you mean when you said that Queen Brahne knew all along?" She asked recalling the small statement that had slipped past the older man's lips.
"Arathnia fully funded, and aided Emperor Dornkirk in his quest to control fate," He explained locking eyes with the seeress again. "The Zaibach sorcerer's were actually Arathnian priests taught the ways of science under Dornkirk. The Arathnian's gave us their knowledge of magic, as well as the floating fortresses," He continued his eyes not shifting away from hers.
"So that's why they were able to accomplish so much so quick," She wondered aloud. That actually explained a lot.
He smirked. "I find it strange that I feel comfortable explaining all of this to you. Especially in the corner of a tavern in the middle of no where this late a night," He mused as the bar maid placed another drink in front of him. He turned to smile at her, handing the woman a handful of golden coloured coins.
"Maybe you should try to explain all of this to Van. If you had no problems with me, than why not tell your brother," She half pleaded with the knight. Folken always tended to leave people out of the loop, who should really be the first to know.
He sighed again taking a large gulp of his drink. He rose to his feel. "You know just as well as I do that Van does not listen when he doesn't want to. Especially when it comes from me. Just like his blow up tonight. It's best just to leave him be. He'll come around when he is ready," He explained polishing off the rest of the alcoholic beverage in his glass.
A light bulb suddenly went off in the young girl's head. Another question that had been buried at the back of her mind pushed itself forward. It was a question that he possibly had an answer to. "Folken," She said before he could walk away from the table. "Do you know anything about this Van and Astra situation?" She asked feeling a bit foolish for asking him such a thing.
Folken narrowed his eyes at her, an emotion that she could not place evident in those garnet eyes that were so much like his brother's. She guessed it was some kind of draconian trait. Both brother's possessed those eyes, as well as their mother had. However, the two boys were the only draconians she had ever met. "You should not ask questions you do not wish to know the answers to," Was his reply before dropping a couple more coins on the table. "It is way more complicated than I can explain. There are certain details that you need not hear from me. You want the answer to that, ask Van," He stated coldly, and then wandered away from the table, and up the curving steps towards the bedrooms. It seemed that he was also spending the night in Scorpigal. She could only assume Galaxia was as well.
Hitomi sighed disappointed. She had really wanted to know what he knew. All the information she had learned over the course of their conversation swam around her head, crowding it with his words. She rubbed her temples with her fingers, soothing the small headache that had started to build from her constant state of pondering. She picked up one of the coins and called the barmaid over to her table. "One please."
Dawn rose steadily over the horizon, forcing the small village of Scorpigal to life. Waves of people crowded the small town, some making business deals, purchasing goods, or just making casual conversation. No one seemed to pay an attention to the small tavern in the daylight hours. It remained fairly empty leaving the foreigners upstairs to do as they pleased. Van was the first to rise that morning. The uneasy feeling he went to bed with the night before remained much to his dismay. He sighed running a hand through his tangled hair. He did not like that fact that his brother had been in the tavern late last night. It was a bad omen. He looked out the full length window, watching the crowds of people fill the streets below. Scorpigal seemed like a moderately friendly place. But they had to leave today. It would not be long before word of his arrival would reach Queen Brahne, and then the Arathnian soldiers would come looking for him. He was not going to allow them to catch up.
He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he sensed a presence behind him. It was usually hard to sneak up on the young king. However, he felt no immediate danger, so he cautiously turned around ready to face whatever the presence may be. To his surprise, he came face to face with his older brother. He couldn't help but scowl at him. "What do you want Folken?" He spat, crossing his arms over his chest.
Folken's face remained a blank slate. It was nearly impossible to tell what the older man was thinking when he wore his mask. It was frustrating to no end. "I have decided that it is in my best interest to accompany you out of Arathnia. To ensure you and your friend's safety of course," He concluded, the expression on his face never faltering. Unchanging.
Van raised an eyebrow at him. "Accompany me?"
He nodded stiffly in response. "Yes. I wish yo escort you to the border."
Van scoffed at his older brother. "Escort me to the border," He spat glaring daggers at the silver haired man in front of him. A this moment, he could not stand the sight of the man he used to call his brother. What right did he have tagging along with their group when no one wanted him around. "I don't want, or need your help," He seethed through clenched teeth. "Get out," He hissed quietly. He did not wish to wake the others quite yet. It was still early.
Folken's expression changed into a scowl. He was not happy with the younger man's stubborn words. He was too proud to except his help. He would need it if he wanted to get out of Arathnia alive. This much he knew. "Stop being so stubborn," He spat back in response. "Your selfishness blinds you brother," He continued leaving no time for his brother to respond. "You'll need my help, and I will need yours."
"What are you talking about?" He nearly yelled in response.
"My sentiment has ulterior motives. I need to get out of here just as much as you do. Why not do it together?" He answered in a near whisper, realizing that Van was getting a little too worked up by this conversation.
"I thought you had a debt to repay," He mocked. He could sense the dishonesty in Folken's voice, and didn't trust the man as far as he could throw. There was more to this than that.
Folken shook his head at his brother's immaturity. Sometimes he wondered how the young king ran his country. "I think I have repaid my debt well enough. It's time for me to move on," He replied honestly. "Besides, I am a knight of Arathnia. What reason do they have to doubt me?" He asked raising an eyebrow at the younger man.
Van glared at his older brother. The complete nerve of the man. The aloofness he displayed seemed to just set his blood a boil. "How dare you," He seethed through his tightly clenched teeth. He almost didn't trust his voice enough to speak. "Get out!" He spat pointing to the door.
Folken cursed, turning to leave the room. "You'll never make it back to Fanelia without me," He snarled, slamming the wooden door behind him as he left the room. He stalked down the empty halls of the inn heading towards the room he had been staying in. "I am coming whether he likes it or not, "He whispered harshly to himself.
Van paced the floor on the other side of the door. Just the audacity of Folken's attempt to deceive him again seemed to make his skin crawl. Especially when he admitted it himself. Was there no level to which that man would sink? He clenched his fists tightly at his sides refraining from sending the appendages into the wall in an effort to relieve his pent up frustrations. Folken always had a way of making him so angry that there was truly no way to describe it. He knew just how to pluck his every nerve, and push every button until he exploded in a fury of either murderous or suppressed rage. 'What did that traitor Folken want this time?' That one question rang through the teen's mind like an alarm bell sounding out at the first sign of danger. It was so loud that he couldn't bring himself to think of anything else.
Van heard a knock at the door. He stormed over to it, throwing it open with one swift motion. He pulled it so hard, that it slammed into the wall. He relaxed a bit when his eyes fell upon Hitomi. Her eyes were wide, and a shocked expression had worked it's way onto her face. "I heard the door slam," She squeaked out, relaxing a bit when she realized his anger was not directed at her. "What's going on?" She asked curiously.
Van sighed, "Nothing Hitomi," He replied softly kissing her on the forehead. "You should go back to sleep," He stated his expression softening slightly.
Hitomi shook her head. "I'm already awake. No sense in forcing myself to go back to sleep," She replied in a low voice. She didn't want to wake the others either. Although, the racket of the slamming doors had probably already done that job.
He shrugged, "True. We should be leaving soon anyway," He mused looking out the window. "It will only be a matter of time until word reaches Queen Brahne, and it is best that we are gone when it does," He continued as he watched the small crowds of people filling the tiny post.
Hitomi nodded, "I agree, best if we take off before anything happens," She agreed following his gaze out the window.
"Something is bound to happen regardless of when we leave," General Avanon spoke up from the opened doorway of the other room. The rooms in the Inn were divided into two separate parts to help accommodate larger groups. He stepped into the room, and joined them by the window. "There is a long journey a head of us my lord. We must be prepared," He stated leaning against the wall beside his king.
Van nodded, "Of course Mendelev," He agreed. "We should leave before noon."
The general nodded, "Yes, that would be best. We need to find transportation to Fanelia, or even to one of it's friendly nations," He mused, his eyes traveling out the window as well.
"Yeah, probably a good idea," Hitomi agreed crossing her arms over her chest.
Within the next couple of hours, the group had awoken, and eaten breakfast. They left the Inn in the middle of the morning, not wanting to stick around more than they had to. The barmaid from the night before seemed happy to watch them go. She never once smiled, but Hitomi could sense the relief washing off of her at their departure. They followed the dirt road out of the outpost, and towards the borders of Arathnia. It was going to be a long journey, but there was no other way for them to go at this point. The sooner the left this country, the sooner the unease that had settled upon their group would dissipate.
They had only been walking for about an hour, when they heard a noise. It wasn't just any noise. It was the dull thud of hooves hitting the ground. Hitomi's back stiffened, they couldn't have been found already. The sound grew louder, as it approached them from behind. She was surprised when it came into view. She was certain that the Arathnian soldiers had found them. In a way, she was right, but not quite. Folken caught up to them. He was seated a top one of the whitest horses that the seeress had ever laid eyes upson. Both he, and the stead were covered in silver armor, shielding them from whatever harm may be directed at them.
Van snarled, "What are you doing here?" He snapped, his hand coming to rest on the hilt of his sword. Hitomi was certain that if he was provoked in any way, he would have it drawn in an instant.
"You need my help," He stated bluntly. "You're proud my brother, that I know. But you have to remember that sometimes pride is not the best feature. Pride can lead you to make fatal mistakes that may cost others lives, and maybe your own," He explained running his metal fingers over the horse's mane in a soothing fashion. " I can get you out of here alive."
Van turned his head, looking over at his general. A look of uncertainty was evident on the young king's face. Mendelev sighed, "What have we got to lose my lord."
The raven haired teen sighed, "Fine," He spat narrowing his eyes at his older brother. "Just to the border, and that is it."
Folken bowed slightly, "Of course you majesty," He stated seriously.
It was strange to see Folken in such a submissive mind set. He was usually the one that was in control. He dismounted his horse, and walked beside them, holding the noble beast by his reins. He followed obediently. Their group fell into an awkward silence as they continued their journey down the dirt path that would eventually lead them to freedom. They walked for what seemed like days, but it was only a few hours. It was mid-afternoon when they reached the border gates. Hitomi had never been so happy to see the stone structures, as she was at the exact moment. It was as if freedom was just in their grasp. It was then that Folken pulled ahead, jumping back up onto his horse. Two Arathnian sentinels stood at the gates, monitoring who entered their vast country. At Folken's approach, one stepped onto the dirt path and raised his hand, halting the knight in his place.
"State your business Strategos," The one man asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at the group of people behind him.
"I am here to allow these people through the gate," He stated coldly. Folken's voice was loud and authoritative. It was a trait Hitomi assumed he had picked up from Galaxia. She too spoke in such a manner.
The man shook his head, "I am afraid that I cannot allow you, or your party out of Arathnia," He stated, his hand coming to rest on the hilt of his sword. He was ready in case Folken got any ideas.
"What do you mean?" He asked calmly raising an eyebrow at the lower ranked man. "You do realize who I am do you not? I have direct orders from Princess Astra to ensure their safe departure," He stated, his grip on the reins tightening. Van looked surprised at this statement. No one thought about Folken's sudden appearance at the tavern that night. It all seemed to click into place in that instant. The Princess had reached out to the knight to help aide them. It was the only thing the Princess could do without fully alerting her mother. It has a kind gesture. However, Van was not quite sure whether to appreciate it or not.
The sentinel shook his head again. "I'm sorry Strategos. We have orders from Galaxia and Queen Brahne not to allow you to cross the border," He explained, a solemn expression on his face.
Folken's face fell instantly. "Galaxia?" He asked, his voice wavering slightly. All confidence he had possessed moments before vanished instantly at the sound of the woman's name.
The other sentinel laughed, walking over to stand beside his comrade. "Yeah, Galaxia. It seems your partner sold you out," He state coldly, his words dripping with such venom and hatred that Folken visibly winced at them. "You're no longer a knight Strategos. You've lost your status."
Hitomi could see the look of betrayal, and pain in the older man's eyes. He had trusted Galaxia, and she had turned around and stabbed him in the back without so much as a second thought. She hated Galaxia more in that instant than she hated anyone else. As soon as the pain and betrayal had appeared, it vanished. His mask had once again arisen to cover his emotions. His eyes darkened, and he glared at the two sentinels. "Fine, have it your way. But you will regret this decision," He stated turning his horse around, heading back towards their group.
"Empty threat coming from a traitor like you Folken!" The second sentinel called after him, a smug expression on his face.
Folken said nothing, and just kept on going. He passed their group, and wandered back up the dirt road. When he disappeared over the hill, Van nodded in the direction that his brother had gone. With that small gesture, their group was off again. They followed the former knight over the hill. With no sense of where they were, what other choice did they have? Folken led them along the road in silence, his face contorted into an expression that was indescribable. They walked for nearly a half an hour before he suddenly stopped in the middle of the road.
"What is your plan now brother?" Van sneered losing faith in the man in front of him. He had been quite certain that he was the their ticket out of this hellhole. But once again, his brother had let him down. It all seemed to be this viscous cycle.
Folken sighed dismounting his horse, "I don't know," He stated, his voice held this broken and hurt tone to it that made Hitomi's heart ache for the older man. Galaxia's betrayal had broken something inside of him that no one could repair.
"Well this is just perfect," Van spat growing increasingly angry with no cause or reason. "You drag us all the way out here..." He raged, but Hitomi cut him off.
"Knock it off Van. A lot had just happened to the man, and you're hot headed attitude is not helping. It's not his fault," She scolded, glaring at the raven haired king.
"She is right my lord," General Avanon spoke up defending the former prince. He looked between his other comrades, before turning his attention back to Folken. "What about Caladonna?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.
Folken's eyes widened at the name, his jaw unhinging slightly. Confusion seemed to mask Van's face, not following their exchange. Allen and the other's appeared to be just as confused as the young king was. "How do you know of Caladonna?" He asked his he narrowing suspiciously at the older man.
"When one of Archibald's knights took out my eye, I was taken there for treatment," He explained fiddling with the small patch of fabric which covered the remnants of his eye. "It would be a good place to lay low for a while. If Freya would allow it."
Folken looked towards the woods in thought for a few moments before sighing. "Freya would," He stated with a nod. "But you have to follow me, and do not wonder off. Going into the Celestial forest, no matter how shallow it may be, is not the safest. Danger lurks around every corner," He explained turning around to face their group. "Do not, get lost." He received nods, grunts, and yelps in understanding. "I can't believe I am doing this," He mumbled pulling his horse along beside him as he stalked over to the trees, and disappearing under their cover.
Without another word spoken, their group followed the silver haired man into the woods. Little did they know, that more shit was about to hit the fan.
AN: OMG! That ending was so difficult to think up _ . Sorry if it seems a bit rushed at the end, but I was getting no where, and fast. Sorry the chapters have been rather short lately, but I just can't fill them quite as easily as I can other stories. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Next: The Silver Haired Angel (Will probably be a short one as well)