The Awakening of Rutilus Flumen

by bluetreeleaves

Sequel to The Legends of Rutilus Flumen: Accepting her fate as the Pilot, Hitomi must endure hard life in Fanelia, intense training with a crabby old man, and growing prejudices against her. Thankfully, the King of Fanelia will always be at her side...

25. Chapter 25

So... here's a thing... it's a long thing...

THE THING IS A NEW CHAPTER WOOOOO! First off, I really have to thank some people for hitting me in the face - not quite literally - and telling me I have got to work on Rutilus. Nanari, who was constantly there when I needed to bounce ideas and kept me from throwing everything away and curling into a ball in the corner. And the lovely Kerapal Bubbles, who took time to edit this monster and made it even better than I could have thought possible. You two are my lifeline and the main reason I feel like I can actually pull this HUGE story off! Like, for serial, people. This story is only gonna get crazier!

BTW: My 10 year anniversary has passed... Legends was first published July 2, 2006. My mind is exploding right now. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story for OVER A DECADE! And to everyone else who has joined in on this crazy train! Get ready for a ride of twists and turns because the next chapter is already in the works. We are headed to exciting times and it only took me ten years to get there (good god...)!

LET'S GO TO WAR, PEOPLE! *Cue that Timmy Trumpet and Salvage song called Freaks*

Tell me where the freaks at?

---

She sat quietly at her bedroom window and watched dawn's light break over the treetops. Her thumb nail was chewed down to the quick. Millerna let out a small sigh and glanced down with a grimace at the damage done to her fingernails. She hadn't broken the terrible habit after all. All of her long, beautifully manicured nails littered the ground. Just like how she imagined the West Infantry had been during the Trimane Battle; bodies tangled in agony as far as the eye could see. A tense, shivering fear turned her stomach and she closed her eyes to quietly wait for the nausea to pass.

This would be her first battle. Her first time to kill.

She knew this would happen when she signed up for vox training long ago. She knew this would happen when she qualified for the Trials after Balgus stepped out of his active role as Vehotus and a spot became vacant. Beating Gadeth, earning a title and respect, manipulating her vox into her specialty weapons, learning how to lead troops. She was proud of her accomplishments. She was proud of who'd she'd become. In such a short amount of time, Millerna had gained respect from both Van and the crown.

Millerna had been spared from the Trimane Battle, and she had felt angry about being left behind. Deep inside; however, she had felt a shudder of relief.

"I'll make sure to take care of you." Allen's words from last night ignited the blush in her cheeks. He had chased after her once the meeting had concluded.

Allen. His hand had gently caught the sleeve of her dress and effectively stopped her in the hallway. She could still feel his warm fingers on her forearm. Putting a recently chewed finger on the spot where he'd touched her, Millerna forced herself to take comfort in his words: "Millerna, I know this will be your first battle. Lord Van put you with me. We will be right next to each other. I will protect you with my life."

She had only nodded quietly. Allen had poor Chid and Selena to care for, and now she was just another burden he would carry. In a sense, she liked that Allen had her back, but her irrational pride had also taken a hit. It was the same feeling that she'd gotten when she was left behind for the Trimane. Was it because she was a woman? Or because she was new? They'd given Lady Hitomi the responsibility of wiping out the enemy Guymelefs.

Millerna shook her stupid jealousy out of her head and her blond hair flicked over her right shoulder. Lady Hitomi was from legend. How could someone normal like Millerna ever compete with someone like her? She was the best choice for taking care of Zaibach's Guymelefs. She had wiped out all the Vehotus during the Trials by being clever and quick. The back of Millerna's head was still sore from colliding with the stone wall of the arena. Yes, it was moronic to be jealous of someone like her.

"I'll protect you with my life."

Millerna hadn't said a word back. Allen's hand had left her sleeve and she had quietly turned away to walk back to her rooms. And here she sat, watching the dawn greet the day and trying to sort out her mixed confusion. She groaned and rubbed her blue eyes with her palms. Leaning her head against the lavender headrest of her chair, she felt the twinge of sick fear building once more.

"Sir, she's not to be disturbed at this time of day."

Millerna's hands dropped from her eyes and she instantly turned to look at the heavy wooden door. That was the voice of her head maid. Who in the name of Law would be coming to her door at this time of day? Her heartbeat thudded in her ears.

"She's awake, I'm sure," a smug muffled voice came from behind the door. Immediately, Millerna's nervously raging heartbeat slowed and she rolled her eyes. "I just need to speak with her for a little minute."

"A…. little minute, sir?"

"Only a little one."

Millerna could already see the lazy smile on Dryden's face and the charming wink that would follow a statement like that. Closing her tired eyes, she snorted a quiet laugh and shook her head slowly. What could that idiot possibly want to talk to her about?

There was a brief silence before a small knuckle gently rapped on her door.

"My lady, Lord Dryden Fassa is here to see you."

Standing up, she took her time stretching and pulling her robe from where she'd left it on the bed. Wrapping it securely around her nightdress, she stopped briefly to glance in the mirror. Her long blond hair was a mess of curls and was in dire need of a long brushing session to tame it down.

She bit back another laugh. It was Dryden. Who cared?

Opening the door, she saw the gentle furry face of her head maid and nodded. He stepped out of the shadows; his arms crossed and that smirk she'd pictured planted firmly on his lips.

"Thank you, little lady," he said sweetly with a light bow to her maid. The woman blushed and swallowed nervously. Millerna snorted again and opened the door wider.

"Come in, then."

Turning away, she walked back to her chair and flopped down with a sigh. Dryden shut the door quietly and headed to her vanity to pick up the stool sitting there. Carrying it, he placed the stool beside her chair and sat down without further invitation. They both looked out the large window together.

"You've got a nice view," he commented after several moments of silence.

"Only in the mornings. It gets dark pretty fast when the afternoon rolls around."

"I'd rather see mornings than afternoons anyways."

"I feel the same."

A gentle quiet filled the room. Millerna slid her blue eyes away from the scenery to take in Dryden's relaxed position. His legs were spread out and his feet were crossed. His large fingers were loosely laced in his lap and he leaned against the side of her bed; making himself right at home. He wore his usual brown boots and light brown pants. His long hair was swept back into his low ponytail and tied with an orange ribbon.

She smiled to herself. It looked like he'd finally brushed out the static from the Trials.

His black cloak was buckled at his throat and she couldn't stop herself from glancing down to study the orange pattern on the edges that pooled on the floor. Unlike her swirling, thin pattern, his was spikier; harder. The pattern felt rough and jagged. Tight points jutted out in different directions.

"You checking me out?" he teased without looking at her and she gasped. With a smile, she reached over and smacked his arm lightly.

"You're the one who come here and wanted to talk to me. So talk," she said.

"I'm rather enjoying the silence of the morning. This view is so much better than mine. I can even see the bird houses from here." He lifted a finger and pointed to the left. "Tweeting and flitting. Birds are so cute."

"Dryden, what do you want?"

"Would you believe me if I said I knew your window was the best spot to watch the sunrise?" He grinned to himself. "And I made up an excuse just so I could see it?"

"Actually, yes," she giggled despite her mild frustration at his dodging. "But I'm sure you have other motives besides a good view."

"Who do you think I am? Gadeth? Law forbid, woman! I am man with no secret vendettas." Dryden pushed his glasses up his nose in a sense of finality.

"Right," she smiled and turned back to the window. The momentarily forgotten fear slipped slowly back into her stomach and she swallowed audibly. Unknown to her, Dryden's eyes had immediately left the window and moved to study her as soon as she turned away.

"Do you remember our fight during your Trials?" Dryden asked and she blinked at the random question.

"How could I forget? Your arrows trapped me to the sand. I had no chance against you." The memory filled her. Hot tears had come from her eyes at her defeat. The hard metallic sand had pressed heavily against her chest. The thick leather on her arms and legs were unable to move from the sturdy black arrowheads that had kept her down. She had originally thought it would be impossible to be pinned down to a sandy surface, but these were Dryden's vox arrows. If he wanted her pinned, they'd hold her till the sun went down.

"I didn't ask if you remembered your defeat. I asked if you remembered the fight."

She sighed. "To be honest, barely. I remember the circles disappearing and you were shooting ridiculously fast at me. I thought I was going to die. Law, I knew there was no way I was ever going to beat you. I just couldn't keep up."

"Actually, you dodged more arrows than I'd like to admit. Those throwing daggers of yours are no joke. Several times you distracted me and almost closed the gap between us. Besides, you are naturally a close ranged fighter. It would have been hard for anyone. You almost made me bring out Little Lancy."

"Little Lancy?" she chuckled. "You name your weapons?"

He gave her a strange look. "You don't?"

"I mass produce daggers, Dryden. I don't really see the point."

He let out an unexpected laugh. "Hah! See the point!? Get it? Point? You use daggers to… fight… Ahem…" Dryden trailed off and looked back at out window. "Ah! There's that bird again. I wonder where the nest is-"

"Why are you talking to me about our fight?" she asked bringing the subject back.

He reached back to rub the back of his neck. "To be honest, I've always wanted to talk to you about it. Everything went rather fast after you left the arena. The next morning, you were named to the Vehotus, and that was it. You got your cloak and it felt like you left the Trial behind. But… I remember it vividly. I remember each purple dagger that got closer and closer to hitting me square in the face. You should think about trying to awaken more weapons from the vox if you can. You have impeccable aim."

"Get to the point, Dryden," Millerna sighed.

He snorted another laugh. "Point… My point is that you don't need to be protected, Millerna."

She straightened her back and her eyes flashed a light lavender. "Who said I needed protecting?"

"Allen."

The answer was quick, sharp, and hard. She was beginning to understand the pattern on his cloak. His brown eyes narrowed at her from behind his spectacles and she read a sense of anger behind his usual calm demeanor.

She couldn't deny it. "How do you know about that?"

"I overheard him talking to you last night."

"That was a private conversation."

"Too bad you had it in a public hallway."

"Still, you shouldn't have listened."

"And he should learn to think before he shoves his protection at people who don't need it."

She felt a stir of defensive anger. "So what if he wants to protect me, Dryden? What's it to you?"

"He's undermining your abilities. He's unconsciously making you feel inferior. And I don't like that." His hand left his neck and he sat up, crossing his arms. Turning to face her, he said squarely, "He likes you. Probably loves you. So he thinks he's doing what's best for you."

Her mouth dropped open in surprise and her stomach curled into a tight knot. "L-Loves…"

"Oh, don't give me that surprised look. You know he does. But you see, Millerna? He's not doing what's best for you. He's doing the opposite. He's holding you back from that woman I fought in the Trials. He's never had to face you in combat. I, on the other hand, have had firsthand experience, and this was before you got personal training as a Vehotus. I don't like him spouting off that you need his protection. You are every bit the warrior as he is, Millerna. You are Vehotus. You earned that title. And that means that you know what you are doing."

"I thought you were all for keeping me from the Trimane!" she shot back accusingly.

"That was Lord Van's decision. Gotta go with what the big dog says," he shrugged dismissively. "But you are guaranteed in this battle and you can't have doubts about yourself. Battle is all about trusting your skills."

"The reason Allen said that was because this will be my first battle! He's trying to help me!"

"You are lying to yourself to protect his feelings. You are stronger than you think. You can take care of yourself. Doing stunts like protecting people… idiots like that will get you killed on the battlefield." Dryden's brown eyes turned to his lap. His fingers tugged on the bottom of his tunic distractedly.

Suddenly, something clicked in Millerna's head. "Dryden… are you talking about Gadeth leaving his post to save you from the ambush at Trimane?"

The long-haired man rolled his eyes. "Partially. You could say that I have experience with someone I care for jumping into danger for my safety." His face turned thoughtful. "It's a good example, actually. Having him there was a distraction. He ended up paying for it with an arrow in the shoulder. But we must remember Gadeth is Gadeth and he'll do what he wants regardless of anyone's feelings on the subject. I don't appreciate him coming though. It made me feel like I was useless. I even went to Lord Van after the Trimane and asked to be removed from the Vehotus. Naturally, our humble king refused."

Millerna's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know you said that."

He snorted. "Yeah, now you and Lord Van are the only ones who know. It's not the best fun time confession."

"I don't feel that way with Allen though."

"You might not right now, but you will when it comes boiling down to it."

Dryden suddenly turned on the stool and his knee touched the side of her leg. His brown eyes were tinged with orange around the pupil. A strange nervousness crept over her as she studied his face: deep-set sleepy eyes behind square spectacles. His thick, curly hair pulled back to expose his thin face. Her eyes flickered to his lips and she watched him swallow. Those lips usually held that cheeky grin of his; the one that said he was in on every joke and was secretly laughing at you. But now it was curled downward with seriousness. It was strange to see such a serious look on his face.

"Trust me, Milly. You'll feel exactly how I felt. Useless and weak. The funny thing is, I didn't know Gadeth was coming. Allen is already planning on undermining you. By doing so, he's making you undermine yourself. You have to remember how strong you are. Trust in yourself and your training. Forget Allen. In the end, you should be the one to call the shots because you have earned the right to do so."

Her mouth opened once more in surprise, but she quickly closed it with a growing blush. "Dryden… look, I get what you are trying to say, but I don't mind Allen saying that he wants to protect me. I actually liked it."

His eyes instantly tore from hers and switched to the window. His hand jerked back as if he had been burned. She saw his throat jump as he swallowed. His face was unreadable and she wondered what he could possibly be thinking.

"So you love him back." It was a realization.

"I-I don't know. I don't really want to talk about this."

"Sure, sure," Dryden's smirk lifted on his lips and he stood with a groan. "I gotta get going before Gadeth wakes up and decides to blow up the tower."

"Dryden, I-"

"Congratulations, Millerna. Name one of your children after me. And make sure it's a quirky one."

She stood swiftly from her chair as he stepped over the stool and headed for the door.

"Wait-"

"I hope you two are happy together."

"Dryden!"

The door opened and he disappeared into the dark hallway.

---

Creaks of supply wheels, of shouting men, of excited conversations, echoed for about half a mile through the trees. Crunches of foliage paved a pathway for over a hundred fur and feathered breeds trudging southeast. The encampment had been packed and secured in a surprisingly short amount of time. Merle had stood in awe as an entire settlement was stripped within half a day.

"A necessary nomadic lifestyle," Plaktu had said with one of his wide grins as he surveyed the last of the carts being piled up with leather pelts. "I'm dejected I wasn't able to make my way further east when I had the chance. The Marshlands are only a few more miles once the trees break and I've have always been a fan of their enormous mosquito baked pies…" he stopped at the disgusted look on her face and threw his head back in laughter. "I'm showing my spider again, aren't I?"

Looking at the man who had done so much for her, Merle had felt a smile creep on her lips. His lanky, long bare legs were folded in meditation, his arms relaxed on his knobby knees. She perched with her legs dangling on the familiar rock that had been beside his holding tent. Glancing at the wise old man beside her, she sighed quietly with a pit of sadness sneaking into her belly. This would be the last time they sat together in the camp. This would be the last time she felt this peaceful tranquility; a freedom of love and acceptance within nature. Merle had been unable to sleep the night before due to worry. Would she ever see this wonderful man again? Would they ever have another day like this?

What if he died in battle? What if the Vehotus took her away without seeing him again? Another crease of worry had made her eyebrows scrunch together. And what of her? What of her own fate? She was willing to walk into danger, into war, but what of the aftermath? Would the Vehotus allow her to free Chid? To save her little pine?

Without another word, Plaktu had lifted his long hand and patted her pink head gently. His fingers slid to her shoulders and he rested his comforting arm around her. "You are going to be just fine without me, little one," he had said kindly, his black eyes watching a young rabbit woman tighten the shoulder straps of her husband's armor; her long ears drooping over her petite shoulders. "I know you are scared of what is to come, but I have seen you for who you truly are. You are a strong and courageous young lady, and you will be just fine."

"I'm not sure about that, Plaktu. The Vehotus will have me in their custody – and that's if I survive the battle. I told you I won't run away from my crimes. Not anymore, but..." Her ears had flattened against her skull. "I will be executed. I know I will."

"But that is not what you truly fear. Which speaks very highly of your character, I must admit," he had commented furtively.

Merle had sighed again. "The thing I truly fear is your safety. I am bringing you down with me, Plaktu. You kept me hidden and broke the law because of me. You were supposed to turn me in when I got caught."

"This is true," he had nodded simply.

"So, why? Why are you so willing to throw your life in lot with mine? Why are you sacrificing yourself? You committed treason. I am a wanted criminal."

"What a thought provoking question. Why would I throw my life in lot with yours? A fascinating inquiry, indeed." Plaktu's smile had grown wider. "Because I trust in your heart and I trust in the heart of the king. 'Tis simple as that."

Merle had been struck by how blunt, yet by how incredibly vague his answer was. No matter what, his words always felt like they had many different meanings to them. This answer had to be no different. Her eyes had slid to the ground and she spied a small plant at her feet.

The small pine… Chid… It felt like Plaktu had blind trust. Just like Chid-

"My trust is not blind," he had added lightly, and, despite her anxiety, a small smile curled at her lips. She was getting used to her thoughts being answered. Her mind was open like a page for him to read and she rather liked that she didn't have to explain any of her feelings. It was refreshing to have someone already understand without the issue of finding the proper words.

"You will prove yourself to them. I have no doubt about that. You will become who you are meant to be. Your life will be in the hands of the King of Fanelia."

"And I will die. I am the one who took Dilandau away from him. He will want me executed or tortured for information or-"

"Tortured for information?" The long man had let out a belly laugh. "You are willing to give him information. Why must he torture it out of you?"

Merle's mouth had stopped and she blinked rapidly. "Bu-But isn't that how wanted criminals are treated?"

Plaktu's shrug had been so nonchalant that it made her want to hiss with frustration. "I do not doubt that the possibility is there – if slim. However, the King of Fanelia is a man who had to make hard decisions as a child. He does not take execution lightly. He will factor in your transgressions. But he will also take in the amount of change you have made. In the span of a few short weeks, you are a completely different cat!" He had let out another laugh and patted her arm lightly. "I trust he is a capable young man and he will see someone willing to forgo her past and 'throw in her lot' - as you say – with his country. He will see what I see."

"How can you be so sure he'll believe that I've changed? How can I make the good outweigh the amount of bad I've done?"

His hand had squeezed her shoulder kindly before letting her go. She swallowed down a mew of loss as he jumped off the rock and offered a hand to help her down.

Their time together was over.

"That's up to you, little one. Just remember to trust yourself and your feelings. Trust your heart. That's the one organ that won't fail you; well… unless you eat too many mosquito pies, that is!"

Following that conversation, Plaktu had ordered the march to begin and Merle took her spot with the Canine Clan. Canines were rough fighters. Their thick fur served as a second shield; a natural suit of armor. With a speed that could catch a horse and a pair of razor sharp teeth, they were all the cavalry Fanelia needed.

All throughout the pack, there was a buzz of anticipation. She had pinned her cloak around her shoulders and tightened the worn travel belt that one of the brown rabbits had given to her. Feeling the curved knife buckled to the belt, she closed her eyes briefly to settle her nerves.

Just then, one of the middle-aged canines had given a loud howl of excitement and her eyes went wide. Shivering in her cloak, she raised the cowl to quietly blend in.

Finally, the orders had come.

Finally, the wait was over.

The Mutts were marching to meet the other camps out near the Eternus.

And from there, to battle.

Several hours later, the excitement still hadn't abated.

"So, you decided to come with us? To fight at the Wild Forest Barrier? That's amazing! You're amazing! I knew you were a good guy! I mean- girl. Good… female…"

Merle glanced to the left through her cowl to see the friendly brown face of the canine boy who had visited her in the tent while she recovered. He wagged his brown tail and grinned brightly. Dressed in tan lightweight boiled-leather gear, he wore a sword at his hip and a round buckler shield across his back. His hair was shorter than most of the canine males and pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of his skull. His long ears brushed his shoulders as he scooted closer to Merle with a friendly tilt of his head. Pulling the cloak closer around her body, she gave him a weak smile and a curl of pink hair fell across her forehead.

"I overheard my Uncle Bakura saying that you are going to be with my pack on the battlefield, but I didn't see you until we began marching today. My whole family is going to be with us, so don't you worry about a thing! I'll protect you with my life!"

"Ignore this lapping idiot," a smooth, amused voice cut in behind her. Merle turned to catch the chocolate eyes of the boy's sister. Her body was strapped in similar brown leather gear like her brother, including sword and round shield. Unlike his disheveled appearance, she was beautifully groomed with her long dark hair braided down her back. "He's been wailing about you for days. Plaktu told him to leave you alone, but now that the old man's not here, he's jumping at the chance-"

"Don't tell her that!" the boy hissed with a blush that could be seen through his fur.

"It's the truth," she shrugged with a smirk. "You haven't shut up about her since she got here."

A low, warning growl escaped the boy's lips and Merle reflexively jumped back several feet in fear. Her tail puffed, her eyes sharpened, and she felt her claws extend from her fingertips.

"Look at her, you oaf! She's scared. Now she'll never speak to you."

The boy's warm brown eyes widened in shock and he immediately took steps towards Merle. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you. Shady can't help being a jerk to me. Call it her natural 'bitchiness'."

"Why you little-" With a roar, Shady pounced on her brother and knocked him forward. His face hit dirt as her mouth closed in on the top of the buckler strapped to his back. He tried to get up, but she maneuvered to pin him with her knees. With a very doglike shake of her head, the buckler loosened on his shoulders and shook his face further into the ground. She punched him on the back and he yowled. Clouds of dirt rose around the two, and the other canines stepped over the pair. Some shook their heads and clicked their tongues as if they were misbehaving puppies. Others let out cheers and laughed.

A squeal left his lips and he shouted, "Ow! Shady-ow! Let go, let go! You're getting dirt in my nose! Stop punching!"

"Take back what you said!" the girl growled through her teeth; still tugging on his buckler. "Take it back, Ted!"

"Oi, oi, oi, you two! Save it for the battlefield." A large canine stepped forward and grabbed the back of Shady's neck. Lifting her by the loose skin, her mouth let go of the buckler and she swung a useless kick at the older man. Her hands reached up to pry at where he held her, but he smirked and continued to hold her aloft as if she were nothing more than a dried leaf. Her brother, realizing he was free, jumped to his feet and growled as he straightened the crooked straps. The entire front of his brown uniform was caked in dirt and leaves.

"Let me go, Bakura! He deserves to get his arse beat!"

"Language," Bakura scolded with a low warning. He held a dangling, struggling Shady toward Merle. "Is this how you want her to see us? Like a bunch of temperamental puppies? You two should be ashamed of yourselves."

The boy stepped forward. "Shady started it, Bakura!"

She let out a snarl and wiggled harder. "I did not! Ted did!"

"You've been asking for it all day!"

"Oh, yeah?" she countered. "Well, I finished it, didn't I?"

Bakura let out a deep hearty laugh and both pups stopped fighting to exchange troubled glances. The older man set Shady on her feet and she stumbled away from him quickly. She straightened her shoulders and shook her head; long ears flapping.

"Shadau and Tedau, you two are supposed to help little Merle here. She's not used to being around a rough crowd like us, so we gotta ease her into it." The large dog grinned and crossed his furry arms over his matching brown gear. His uniform was exactly like Ted and Shady's; however, his sword was much longer and his shield was a larger kite shape. His long light brown hair curled at the top of his shoulders. Merle had only seen Bakura a few times around the camp. Mostly sitting inside Plaktu's tent and worrying over maps spread on the ground. He was the military mind behind the Mutt's offensive positions for the upcoming battle. Looking at his strong arms and thick shoulders, the kitsune decided Plaktu couldn't have chosen better. He would be a formidable opponent on or off the battlefield.

"We are not even a half day into marching and you two are fighting. It will be another day or so before we reach the Barrier, so try to get along."

"Yes, Uncle Bakura," they both said at the same time in the same sulking voice.

"I can't be around all the time to save your hide from your sister, Ted. Next time you decide to foolishly call her names, you better be able to back them up. No one likes all bark and no bite."

Ted's mouth opened and closed quickly before his ears pulled back and he nodded with shame.

"And Shady…" She looked at her uncle and she noticed the smile on his lips. "Don't go straight for the shield. Try the top of the shoulder were the straps are. That's the best spot to disarm your opponent. Good tackle though."

The girl grinned and her tail wagged happily.

---

Something behind the door crashed at Dryden's knock on the tower door and he once again debated whether he should just crawl back under the covers in order to avoid his humiliation.

The crash turned into a slow creak of the door opening.

Well, too late now.

"Sooo… how'd it go?"

The short black locks and a pale thin face of Gadeth greeted him. His happy grin faltered as soon as his dark eyes fell on Dryden's dejected face.

"Oooh, not so good then…" Wrenching the door open all the way, Gadeth spread his arms wide. His green jacket was missing a sleeve. "Come, my dear. Sink into my arms of comfort. Your angel of solace is here and waiting."

Despite his feelings, Dryden felt a shadow of his old smirk filter onto his lips. "Nah," he shook his head slowly. "I just want to not be at the castle proper right now."

"It was really that bad?" Gadeth let Dryden brush past him, but he didn't drop his arms. The room was spacious, but filled with junk. Wooden planks randomly nailed into the stone walls, the lime curtains had holes where Gadeth had tried to patch his own clothes several times and ran out of fabric – suddenly the missing sleeve made sense. Collapsing on the only non-tampered furniture – a wooden stool – Dryden groaned as his face fell into his hands. He tried to push back the wave of frustration that was threatening to boil over. The green man swept over and wrapped his open arms around Dryden from behind. The brown-haired man stiffened, but he let the hug happen. The green man rested his chin on Dryden's shoulder and nuzzled his head against his ears causing his glasses to fall askew.

"We knew it. We both knew she was in too deep. You just wouldn't believe the feelings inside. He kinda catapulted right into her arms, my baby boy."

Dryden frowned in his hands. "That was your fault actually. You shot him out of the catapult."

Gadeth gasped, affronted. "As I recall, you refused! I tell you over and over to trust me! It would be you in those arms and not him if someone would please just trust me for once! But no matter." He continued, instantly calming. Slowly, he reached up to stroke Dryden's arms with the back of his warm fingers. "She fell for him as soon as he flipped that magnificent hair of his."

"My hair is okay," Dryden mumbled. He didn't see the cringing face Gadeth made.

"Dryden… can I be honest for a second?"

"No."

"Picture this: the shining sun in a forest clearing. The birds are singing their sweet morning jigs, the flowers sway in the effervescent breeze. A little chipmunk crawls out of its little hole to sniff the air. Its soft, cuddly, little body just twitching all cute and fluffy -and then it suddenly gets snatched by a ferocious hawk which proceeds to rip it to pieces. Blood and bits of its cuddly fur flinging over everything! The flowers! The stylishly non-manicured lawn! The trees! The horror of it!-"

Dryden groaned again. "Get to the point."

"My point is Millerna is the sunny clearing and Allen is the fluffy bunny-"

"Chipmunk."

"-and you are the hawk that destroys everything!"

Dryden's face finally lifted from his hands and he sighed. "If Allen is the chipmunk and I'm the hawk, why am I killing Allen in this scenario? And why is blood splattering on Millerna? You know what," he held up a hand in defeat. "I don't want to know anymore."

Gadeth's arms tightened around his shoulders for one last squeeze before he let him go.

"I've got your back, buddy. Remember that. A hawk doesn't fly alone."

"Actually, I think it does."

"Well, whatever," Gadeth suddenly grinned and Dryden swore he could hear the twinkle in his eye.

"So, how would you feel about getting some ripe fruit from the kitchen? I have a mini-catapult that's just itching for a blond head to splat on."

---

The Library Tower was surprisingly empty for the late afternoon. She sat in a straight-backed chair with Balgus at her side, waiting. Tapping her fingernail on the red cloth that spread over the mahogany rectangle table, she crossed her legs and tried to keep her boot from swinging in nervous circles. Balgus had already gotten on to her for fidgeting. Hitomi's green eyes glanced distractedly at the back walls which held the enormous tapestries of the three Guymelefs of Fanelia. Her favorite, the obvious golden banner of Rutilus Flumen, outshined the other two in comparison. In fact, it shined with a faint glimmer of magic as if the very threads were made out of vox itself. When she'd first seen it, Hitomi had wondered if the subject in the tapestry even knew this existed. Rutilus had only grunted in reply. She knew Rutilus hated her Guymelef form, but there was something majestic about the artwork. So beautiful; depicting the metallic armor standing straight and proud with gold and blue weaving together in the border.

Balgus' nose began whistling again and successfully distracted her from her thoughts.

She didn't want to mention it, but the noise was really starting to bother her.

Straightening a strap on her training gear, Hitomi unthinkingly reached for her neck for Rutilus and felt the sting of disappointment. As much as she had complained about having a constant chatterbox in her mind, she truly missed the River's unabashed jokes and sarcasm.

Another tapping session with her fingernails was the breaking point for Balgus.

"Will you relax?" he growled. "They can probably smell your nervousness halfway to Zaibach."

"I can't help it," Hitomi sighed and continued her tapping. "I don't like meeting with the full Council."

"You think anyone does?" the old man snorted, crossing his arms over a cream cotton shirt. With his dark brown pants and leg hugging boots, Hitomi was tempted to tell him he looked like a Molocian pirate.

Thankfully, she was smarter than she used to be and kept that observation to herself.

"They've requested to be present for this meeting and the king approved it, Kanzaki. There's nothing to be done about that."

"But why? It's just discussing the mechanics of the Red Guymelefs. I could do that with Justinus without them. He's been teaching me one on one Battle Strategy for the past two weeks. I never needed an audience before."

"Perhaps they want to make sure you understand your responsibilities as a Pilot. Your top priority is the-"

"Yes, yes, destroying them, I know," Hitomi answered with a dismissive wave. "Which is why having all of them is not needed, nor welcomed."

"You have been missing from the last war meetings due to your training being of the essence. The Council has not seen your face since the Trials completed. From your tearful tantrum off the field during the King's trial, I wouldn't be surprised if they are coming to see if you are up to snuff."

"Trust me, I wonder that myself. I don't need those old farts thinking it, too." Hitomi felt another pang of sadness as she imagined Rutilus' voice determinedly challenging, 'I will make sure you're up to snuff!' rang in her mind.

"I hate this," she groaned instead and dropped her forehead into her gloved hand. Her hair, which had been pulled back for most of the day, floated around her cheeks and chin in a crumpled mess of red tangles. Hitomi hadn't really thought much of her appearance since that war meeting with Van and the Vehotus last night. After vox magic training with Balgus in the early morning, she'd headed up to the library for Justinus' counsel on War Tactics. Then it was break time for food, followed by geography, history, and Lead Commands. After another fast meal, she was back on the training grounds with Rutilus – now in Guymelef form – practicing with her controls. Hitomi had to admit that was one of the best times of the day. Balgus usually accompanied her during it, but she was delighted to find out she could speak to Rutilus inside the cockpit without him hearing it. Being able to talk with the River one on one with some privacy calmed her more than she wanted to admit.

There was just something so comforting about Rutilus. The familiar talks between the two of them served as an amusing balm to her hard days. The end of her training with Rutilus was always a sad farewell, and every time she was tempted to take the River's stone back with her to the castle.

But no… Escaflowne was Rutilus' one and only. They needed to be together as long as possible.

She would never do that to her best friend.

At least Van would be in this meeting.

"Here they come," Balgus announced and her head lifted quickly to see the library door sliding open. Hurrying up out of her chair, she disturbed several rolls of parchment that had been pulled in preparation for the meeting and they rolled noisily off the table and bounced to the floor.

"Leave it, you clumsy fool," the old man growled through clenched teeth as she made a move to retrieve them. "Please try to pretend you're not a buffoon for three minutes."

She snorted a nervous laugh as she nodded thanks to a maid who had come forward quickly to take care of the mess. "Three minutes is pushing it, Balgus. You know my limit is only a minute, thirty seconds at tops."

He grunted, but she was saved from a snarky comment as the counselors began filing in one-by-one. Justinus, the first one through the door, met her eyes and gave her a quick thumbs up, which she grinned at. His lessons were informative and intriguing, but she had quickly discovered that the apple didn't fall far from the tree when it came to personality. She saw how Gadeth's personality could have been shaped by this wise-cracking man.

Meiden followed soon after with a semi-bored look on his lined face. He was gave her a lazy smile that mirrored his son's before heading to the table. Brill was not far behind. A square purple hat perched on his flat head and he straightened the collar of his tunic importantly. Her green eyes finally found the sour scowl of Modocca and she tried to keep her stomach from turning.

Justinus took the spot to her left and patted her on the back jovially. "Don't sweat it, kid," he murmured to her. "This is just a briefing on new info we got on the melefs." His large dark eyes turned worried as he looked at her face. "Are you going to fling chunks?"

"If that means vomit, then maybe…" she whispered weakly.

"You look constipated. Stop making that face this instant," Balgus breathed threateningly.

"Like I'm meaning to…" she retorted and Justinus snickered.

Meiden took the other side across from Justinus, Brill was across from Balgus, and that left-

"How are you this evening, Mistress Pilot?" Modocca asked lowly, the maid pulling the chair that was right in front of her. His sharp eyes took in her tangled hair and sweat stained gear with a sneering distain. Her eyes traveled back to the doorway and her stomach rose to her throat.

"I-I thought Van was going to-"

"His Highness has other important matters to attend to. There is a war to plan and a battle to win. Not everything is about you."

"Clearly, considering the entire Council had to sit in on a consultation about the Red Guymelefs." Balgus injected like a growling bear.

Another snicker came from Justinus and both Brill and Modocca glowered at him.

Meiden jumped in. "We should start with the first scroll here." He motioned to the smaller roll of parchment near Balgus' hand and the large man picked it up. Handing it to Hitomi, she flattened it in from of her and her eyes felt like they were crossing. Little sketch marks with tiny Fanelian printing greeted her like an unwelcomed friend. "This is a detailed image of the new feature that has been spotted on their legs. The Mutts' spies report that this is similar to the flamethrowers they have attached to their arms. If you look at this image here-" he fumbled with another small roll and it turned out to be a top portion of the Guymelef with the flame arm extended, "-you'll see they have the same shape and chambers. However, this section here-" he motioned to the leg once more, "-is much larger." He reached for yet another parchment which showed a frontal view of the entire Guymelef. "This here is the best we could get of the new melefs. You can see the flame cannons on the back and front of the legs right here. My clearest guess is that they will leave a trail of fire as they walk. Possibly to bypass our armies and burn as they go."

Balgus leaned forward. "That would be impossible. The way the chambers are pointed, the flames would engulf their feet."

"So they are toasting their melefs from the legs up? Saves us from destroying them." Justinus said.

"Meiden does have a good point," Modocca said quietly. His long fingers laced under his chin, he stared straight at Hitomi's face as if challenging her to think otherwise. "It would be devastating if one of these monsters got through our lines."

"Good thing Rutilus is water, huh?" Justinus grinned at everyone. No one returned the smile.

"Is there a way they can turn the cannons to fire at us and not at the ground?" Balgus asked.

The long-haired man shook his head. "Not that I can tell. From the looks of it, the flames will go straight down."

"There has to be a reason. Who the devil would build something so faulty?"

Hitomi had tuned out most of that exchange and focused her thoughts on the three pictures in front of her. The detailed chamber on the legs as opposed to the arms. The flamethrower arm with its rounder spout. The thinner tubes running from the waist to fuel the legs. The oil chamber on the shoulder that fed the flames to the hand. The flatter outside shell of the calves… and something clicked.

"Flight." The word slipped from her mouth just as she realized it. All eyes turned on her face and her cheeks burned. "Maybe they are not flamethrowers, but engines. See how the chambers are on both sides of the legs, and how they are flatter to make up for space, and also how the thigh is thicker than normal. A fuel compartment. Using the flames and pressure… as a sort of propeller upward…." she cleared her tight throat, but her voice failed her. As their disbelieving eyes stared at her, she immediately felt the creep of embarrassment washing over her back.

Well, she couldn't feel more stupid.

"Preposterous! I have never heard of such a thing! Flight without wings?" Modocca scoffed.

"Who's to say they don't have wings?" Justinus piped in with a finger in the air. "They may sprout it from their backs like someone we all know."

"They wouldn't have copied that, would they?" Brill asked stunned. "He used them during the Trimane, but there is no possible way that they could duplicate…"

With a confused frown, Hitomi looked to Balgus, but he avoided her eyes.

"A startling observation, Mistress Pilot," Meiden nodded to Hitomi thoughtfully. "I hadn't quite thought of engines. It seems Zaibach's industrial revolution has skyrocketed, so to ironically speak. It would make sense that they built the engine cavity out of metals used in the flamethrower to handle the heat. Also, the pressure hold right at the calf here…" his brown eyes whizzed back and forth from picture to picture behind his glasses. "I can see how that would be a possibility. However, I will say that this is not an absolute certain."

"Whatever it is, they are damned certain enough to use it against us in a few days!" Brill spoke up darkly, his fist pounding on the table top. "Can it fly or not?"

Meiden cleared his throat and pushed his long hair over one shoulder. "It's just a suggestion, that is, if the Lady Hitomi's observations are correct, they could in fact control their altitude with the flames in their hands. There may not be a need for wings."

"What's stopping them from flying all the way to Fanelia right now and burning us to the ground?" Brill demanded sharply. "If they have this kind of technology, we are doomed!"

Meiden scratched his neck. "They hardly have enough juice to keep those flamethrowers going. To create an airborne Guymelef would take an enormous amount of fuel and pressure. I'll have my engineers study this further, but I think a direct attack from them at this time is impossible. However, if they breach through to the Eternus then we are going to be in trouble."

"We pushed them off the Eternus when we won at Trimane. The Mutts have been holding the ground ever since," Brill said. "We are safe."

"Fanelia still cannot afford to let Zaibach have any more ground. We have to push back further." Meiden countered and Hitomi could sense this had been a long heated debate. "This is even more of an incentive to make that our top priority."

"You are your damn priorities!" the purple capped counselor snarled. "They invaded us! We have to return the favor!"

"We must protect our borders first and foremost!"

"We have armies scattered all over the Northern Lands. All we need to do is rally together and attack all at once!"

"And leave our capital defenseless!"

"Gentlemen!" Balgus roared, and the two counselors quieted instantly. "You are wasting the Pilot's valuable time! Stick to the matter at hand or be done with it. She has more training to do."

Modocca took up the previously dropped discussion, much to Hiotmi's displeasure. "The fact of the matter is: Rutilus Flumen cannot possibly keep up with them if they can fly. Through the stories passed down, she has always functioned more like a juggernaut knight. Her sword can call down lightning, yes, but if the targets are moving too quickly, it will be impossible for her to aim."

Hitomi started as the attention was directed back at her and she swallowed down her biting frustration. With the way the meeting was going, Hitomi wished she'd brought the River along. Not just to hear the bad news of possible aerial enemies with large fire guns, but to stick up for herself. It wasn't right for them to speak of her as if she was a piece of machinery and not an actual living spirit. The image of lovely Rutilus alone in the chapel, her spirit trapped in metal to serve men… these men…

The heated redhead opened her mouth, but she was cut off.

"We have not had the River on the battlefield in almost a century. She is a legend from the oldest of ages. She will find a way," Balgus rumbled. "Do not underestimate her or her Pilot. We have all seen the Trials." His large hand fell on Hitomi's shoulder pad and she immediately sat up straighter. "Adapting is in her nature. As it is with flowing water conforming to its container, the Pilot will find a way. Rutilus will find a way."

"A pretty speech, Balgus," Modocca's voice came forth. The thin man's eyes had never left Hitomi's face. "But words are words and we have a lot going against us. She has never been in battle, she has never Piloted under extreme circumstances, and – if she survives this encounter with the Guymelefs – she will be leading a second charge. Giving such responsibility to someone so new..."

"I will be by her side for that charge," Balgus said lowly. Hitomi could feel the waves of anger threatening to explode out of him and she wished he'd take his hand off her shoulder. "She won't be alone in command. Plaktu will also be there as well."

"That peace-minded arachnid." Modocca rolled his eyes. "He would preach his lessons of love to Zaibach rather than stab them."

"Maybe that's what they want!" Justinus snorted a laugh. "They're invading us for hugs, Modocca! You discovered their secret!"

"I say this meeting is done," Brill announced suddenly, his forehead sweating under his purple hat.

"I will bring this new theory to His Highness once he is available, Lady Hitomi, and I will contact you if there are any new developments," Meiden nodded to her.

"Then we are adjourned… unless the Pilot has any other nuggets of wisdom on the matter?" Modocca's lips thinned into a sneer.

Again, Hitomi had the attention of the room, but this time she had something to say. Taking Balgus' hand off her shoulder, she pushed back from her chair and stood with her head high.

"I am sitting here with you today because of destiny. And I have proved this destiny, my destiny, over and over. I was chosen by Rutilus Flumen and I Pilot her. I have fought in the Trials and have earned the respect of your king. I sit on his left as his Vehotus Commander; head of his most trusted companions. He, along with Escaflowne, are my reasons for being here. He is the reason I follow this path. And he is the reason I will see this destiny to the end. Whether it be by my death or the destruction of Zaibach, no one shall bare his blade against Van Fanel and live while I am here. Flying Guymelefs will never reach him. Armies will never destroy him. Because I am here. And this is my destiny."

---

"She really said that?"

His king sat stunned as Meiden finished the tale of what happening in the Royal Library. His mouth had fallen open and remained slack-jawed throughout the entire thing. Meiden uncrossed his arms and tapped a finger back on the three blueprints that were spread over Van's desk.

"Your Majesty, we are dealing with the possibility of flying Guymelefs. We may have to change strategies."

Van blinked rapidly as if jumping out of running thoughts. "Right-right," he stumbled. "If this is the case, Escaflowne may be needed."

Meiden shook his head. "If I may be so bold, I was considering keeping Dryden on the frontline. After the signal is given, he could fall back to Balgus and Plaktu. It would give some needed support, so Lady Kanzaki could concentrate on the Red Guymelefs."

"That is a possibility; however, Gadeth's side is already the most vulnerable spot and to take away Dryden would be devastating. He will have Bakura's faction, but Bakura's pack is stationed with Millerna and Allen on the northwest near the Silus. Gadeth will have flat land. He's also closest to the Eternus, which is Zaibach's ultimate goal. We need Dryden there."

"Might I also suggest Lady Kanzaki fall to the east to pick up the slack once she is done with the Guymelefs. Law willing, she can be the support for Gadeth and Bakura."

Van sat forward to place his elbows on the desk in contemplation. Lacing his fingers against his lips, he was quiet for a two full minutes before – "I will have to think on this. You may have a point. And if these Guymelefs can really fly, who's to say they won't scatter once the battle begins. Hitomi will have her work cut out for her keeping track of them." A crease of worry appeared on the young man's forehead and Meiden felt a rush of pride for the king. Despite his obvious affection for the redhead beauty, he was putting duty first. "I will call a Council tomorrow to debate. You are dismissed, Meiden."

"Thank you, sir." The older man moved to pick up the parchments and Van glanced up at him with his fingers still pressed against his lips.

"One more thing: you said she was the one who made the observation?"

A crooked grin spread on the older man's lips before he could stop himself. "Yes, Highness. She's certainly got an eye for engineering. I am tempted to recruit her as one of my students. She identified the parts without knowing the correct terminology, but she was quick to understand how they function. Factoring in her lack of experience, it was very… impressive."

His dark hair fell over his forehead and the worry crease went away. Unknown to Meiden, his fingers were hiding a proud smile.

"Might I speak frankly?"

Van gestured his approval with a nod.

"She faced a lot of heat in that room. Modocca was up to his old nastiness." Van's eyes whipped up at that comment and he scowled.

"I'll take care of him," he promised.

"Not only did she have a lot of pressure from more than one member of the Council, but she stayed cool and composed throughout the entire meeting. Like I said, she was very… impressive. Even Brill had to admit he had been wrong about her. That speech she gave us was something several members of the Council needed to hear." Meiden ducked his head. "I'm ashamed to admit I needed to hear it, too." Straightening up, he squared his thin shoulders. "She is truly here to save us all, but her main concern is you. It will always be you. And, because of that, she has my deepest respect."

Barely hiding the smile as a red tinge popped on the king's cheeks, Meiden bowed swiftly and exited with his scrolls.

---

"You really said that?"

"…Yeah…"

"And you just came up with a speech like that right then and there?"

"Pretty much…"

"They'll probably tell him what you said."

"Yeah, I imagine they will. Welp, I guess this is it. I have to kill myself now."

"Oh, try not to be so dramatic! He'll love it!"

"I hate it."

"No, you don't. You did really well defending yourself like that. Those losers were underestimating you again. Annoying how that keeps happening, huh?"

"Yeah… annoying…"

"Don't take it to heart. You reminded them who you are. You're not someone to be pushed around, Hitomi."

After the meeting, Hitomi was more than grateful when Balgus had caught her arm to another round of Guymelef training. As for Hitomi, she was headed to the Chapel anyways to tell Rutilus all that had happened, so this was just a little change in her plans.

As dusk darkened in the navy sky, the thick stone pillars emitted just enough flickering light to illuminate the middle edges of the training arena. The flickering torches danced happily with the breezy, cold weather. Hitomi was thankful the rain had held off, but the sudden rush of cold made her shiver inside the humming cockpit. The massive sword that unlocked at Rutilus' back glinted in the light as she held the blade at the ready. With a deep breath of cold air, Hitomi swung the large melef's body to begin her step sequence. The thick handles glided to the left as her legs shifted slightly to guide the golden Guymelef through the series. Concentration sweat gathered on her brow, but her arms were shaking as a blast of cold wind hit her. The Guymelef sword, its beautifully large golden blade flicking upward, trembled slightly. Switching the leg brace to the right, she felt an unnatural lurch in her stomach as the body weight shifted awkwardly. Once again, she'd overcompensated the left foot's step on the left wide arch.

She didn't need the shriek of splintered wood and the familiar scream below her to tell her she'd messed up.

"BLEEEEGH!"

"Ugh, not again."

"At least you killed a tree. Zaibach's vegetation won't stand a chance!"

"Are you trying to kill me, you imbecile?! What is wrong with you? Your form was perfect earlier!"

The protection grate over her face retracted and she was able to look upon the full redness of Balgus' fury glaring up at her. She could even see the twinkle of murder in his little eyes. To his immediate left, the twisted branches of a poor magnolia tree could be seen underneath Rutilus' glittering golden foot.

"Sorry, Balgus!" she called out. "The controls are really sensitive! I barely took a step!"

"Ah, rude! You're sensitive!"

"Good thing you barely took a step because you're-not-supposed-to-take-a-step-there! You're supposed to slide your foot only a fraction! FRACTION! Because of your incompetence, you nearly took me out along with the entire garden!"

"One tree hardly qualifies as the entire garden!"

"Don't you sass me, Kanzaki! You should understand as well as anyone the ramifications of a misstep! One wrong move and your head will be rolling on the ground! This is why we are running these drills! You may have done well this morning, but right now your controls are sloppy! She is water! Flow with her movements! Don't stomp around like some raging monster! She should be smooth. Keep tossing her willy-nilly and-"

"I thought you did okay…" Rutilus' voice filtered soothingly into her mind. "He's just being overly nitpicky. It's how he shows affection."

"-gently pull her controls to the left and let's try this sequence again, Kanzaki."

The redhead kept quiet as she moved back to the center of the arena and held the sword aloft once more at the ready.

Rutilus was silent for a moment.

"Are you okay? You feel… distracted."

"BEGIN!" Balgus roared.

Pushing her shoulder harness to spin around, the purple cape swung in a wide arch as the Guymelef pirouetted to catch an imaginary sword to the back. Hitomi felt the power rushing through her veins as the mighty giant flowed with her controls. Spinning discs, a whirl of gears, she smoothly flicked the shimmering pommel from a defense handle to swipe at the air in a series of offensive thrusts. Flicking the wrist and angling her arm, the sword stretched to the right.

"Alright, now the third sequence!" Balgus roared as she brought the blade up to her right shoulder for a charge. Taking three large steps, she felt the cold wind slapping on the golden metal as it whooshed by. Her cold hands tightened, her breath caught, and her arms trembled as she instantly lowered the blade for a ferocious arch to the left.

Her foot slid, but it was too short. The Guymelef stumbled and Hitomi lurched the controls to the right to fix the balance.

Too far.

The golden Guymelef fell to her knees on the ground.

"ARGH!" she screamed in frustration. Standing quickly, the massive sword's point dropped to stab a thundering hole into the grass. "I CAN'T DO IT! Why can't I do this!? I was flawless this morning! What is WRONG WITH ME?!"

Balgus, his arms crossed, stepped forward. "You are not concentrating enough."

"I AM!" Hitomi snarled back, her composure completely snapped. "I'm concentrating so hard I can't think!"

"It may be time for a break." Rutilus spoke gently – with a touch of worry.

"NO! I can do this!" She shrugged the Guymelef's shoulders and plucked the sword from the lawn. "I will get this right."

Balgus took a step forward as if to block her pathway. "You are done for today, Kanzaki. Take Rutilus back to the Chapel."

"You are not okay. I agree with Balgus."

"No, please! I can do this!"

"Kanzaki, I-"

"Hitomi."

A familiar, smooth tenor voice spoke out from the darkness and both human and metal turned to see the messy black hair of the King of Fanelia. His black cloak flipping up with the cold wind, his cream pants and thick red tunic made her instantly wish she'd at least brushed her hair before coming out. Just her luck. Van had seen her fail.

"Well… this is… interesting timing…" Rutilus commented.

"Oh, Law…" Hitomi moaned. "Why is he here? He saw everything, didn't he?"

"Probably."

Wishing she could disappear forever, the redhead hesitantly retracted the blade and slid it into the holster at the back of Rutilus' neck.

"Lord Van, I was just telling Lady Hitomi to-"

"Yes, Balgus, I know. It's a good thing you were because I need to speak with her," Van said quickly, taking steps closer to where the old man was standing. "It is a matter of urgency." Glancing up at Rutilus' face, Hitomi realized Van was waiting for her to open the protection grate. With a switch, the grate slid back and she saw his calm expression.

"I would like to have a word with you in the gardens, if I may. I'll meet you there."

"O-Okay," she stammered out. "I'll put Rutilus in the Chapel."

"Oh, come on! You won't even take me as a pendant?"

She closed the grate and let out a long breath into the cold air. Taking large steps to the back of the training area, she followed the long wooded pathway to where the Chapel's spokes could be seen above the tall trees. "Not this time, Rutilus," she answered quietly. "I think I know what he wants to talk about."

"You didn't do that bad!"

She shook her head and the golden helmet moved with her. "It's not about the training."

Rutilus was hard to pacify. Even Escaflowne's deep, thundering tones of, "No, my love, you mustn't make death threats to your Pilot," wasn't enough. Finally, Hitomi caved.

"Rutilus, I will come back for you," she said trying to comb the tangles out of her red hair with her fingers – and failing. "After our talk, I'll come back and you can come with me for the night. We'll talk all about it." To the White Dragon, she bowed politely and said, "With your permission, Escaflowne."

"He doesn't own me!" Rutilus shrilled inside her kneeling suit. "You'd better come back for me!"

"It's a promise." She smiled tiredly, unable to keep her optimism afloat. Even with the prospect of speaking with Van, her entire body just felt exhausted from the day's events. Her failed session with Rutilus' controls was just the rotten cherry on top.

Stepping out of the Chapel, she shivered and wrapped her chest with her arms. Despite her sour disposition, her green eyes took in the lovely, star-studded sky above her head, and she felt a real smile drift to her lips. Even if she failed today, there was always tomorrow. It had been long and tiring and stressful and terrible.

But now, Van wanted to see her. And her heart couldn't help but lift.

Closing her eyes, she felt for the core inside her chest. Instantly, golden magic burst forth. As she tossed the vox upward, she felt her mind's eye leave her body and travel up over the trees. The gigantic castle, with its many towers and turrets twinkled in the night. Slowly, carefully, she sent her vision down to the gardens below. Her smile grew as she spied a billowing black cloak on broad thin shoulders.

And, as if opening a door, she walked through the vision with a small crack of golden power.

Van gasped and jumped back startled as she appeared several yards to his left. Taking steps towards him, she remembered he had seen her failure with Rutilus and her tantrum afterwards, and the humiliation came back fully to settle hard in her stomach. She lowered her green eyes to closed daylilies beside her.

"You can Transport?" Van asked, obviously impressed.

"Learned it a few days ago," she mumbled. "It's very useful."

"It is," he agreed awkwardly, reaching back to scratch the back of his neck. His eyes searching her face, he swallowed before saying, "Come with me. There's something we need to discuss. And also… I have a gift for you."

Looking up, she blinked in surprise to see his face tinged pink and his hand extended out for hers. Hitomi bit her lower lip, but she pressed her gloved fingers against his warm palm. He pulled her gently past the roses and crossed the patch of gold, red, and yellow marigolds to a wrought iron bench in the middle of the flowers. She couldn't help but smile brightly. It was beautiful.

Small stone torches – smaller than the ones in the training area – flickered sweetly and gave light to an array of colors and smells. All around the bench, pinks, blues, whites, and reds tossed in the wind and let go of their wonderful scents. There were trees, bushes, patches of both large and small buds. Green vines twirled themselves around the bench; giving this moment a spotlight of serenity.

"This is beautiful!" she breathed, her free hand holding her chest with awe. His fingers tightened against her hand and she smiled brightly at him. He didn't return the smile; however, and pulled her to sit on the bench. That's when she noticed a package wrapped in gold silk. Settling on the bench and letting go of her hand, she noticed he didn't join her, but continued to stand.

"Van, what is it?" she asked. The light haloed his dark hair and cast a shadow on half of his face.

"I heard about the Guymelefs," he started.

"Oh." The word slipped from her.

"I fought with the Red Guymelefs before, Hitomi. I took care of them during the Trimane. But this new feature… I would have never guessed that Zaibach had come so far with their inventions. It seems they've adapted to gain aerial advantage."

"This is if we are certain they can fly."

Van shook his head slowly. "I think you're right. I think this is a trump card that Zaibach has decided to pull to gain an easy victory. And Rutilus cannot fly."

Hitomi didn't know what to say. Van took a step towards her and she looked at him curiously.

"But I can."

Her mouth dropped open in shock and then she snorted. There was a terrible pause, and after that relapse of time she found she couldn't control herself. She knew this wasn't funny, but her brain was so tired she was having trouble absorbing yet another piece of shocking information. His mouth frowned in confusion and it made her laugh harder.

"You're laughing," he said flatly.

"You're joking," she choked trying to stifle her giggles through her fingers. "You can fly? I literally don't know if I can handle this right now. It has been such a long day and now there's this? How long have you been able to fly? What does that even mean? You can levitate? Is this a vox magic gift I don't know about? And why are you telling me this now?!"

"Because I want you to know," he said quietly as he plucked at his cloak's clasp at his throat. He pulled it off his shoulders and tossed it on the bench next to her present.

Her laughter stopped entirely.

"Van… what are you doing-"

"Just watch."

Her face turned crimson as he pulled up his red shirt from where it was tucked in his pants and began unbuttoning the thick fabric. Her stomach was in her chest, her heart was in her ears and she could only sit there and watch as he slowly stripped the shirt from his body. Tossing the red tunic on top of his cloak, she was a bit relieved and yet strangely disappointed to find out he had a cream silk undershirt beneath the red tunic.

She let out an undignified squeak as he began untying the white laces of that too. She knew she needed to look away, but her eyes kept following his fingers as he swiftly loosened the shirt and whipped if off his head.

The silence was back and it was thicker than ice. Hitomi's brain tried to catch up with her eyes. Van's face stared determinedly at the gravel somewhere between their feet. She couldn't tell if he was blushing with the light so dim, but she saw he was beginning to shiver with the cold. She sat frozen and waiting; her green eyes following his thin stomach to the toned muscles of his shoulders and arms. His skin looked practically golden in the light, and she was once again reminded that she hadn't brushed her hair all day.

Her eyes focused on a white scar on his shoulder and she suddenly remembered his stab wound at the Trimane. Somewhere around her shock, she realized the healing magic between them during the Trimane battle hadn't been strong enough to seal it completely.

Oh, how the times had changed since then…

"So… your shirt is gone…" Her voice was airy and weak. "Does this help with levitating?"

"Just watch," he repeated, and the muscles on his shoulders started tensing.

Oh, I'm watching... She thought with an inward grin. And Rutilus is going to have my head for not bringing her along for this…

She actually screamed as blades of white sprang forth from his back like an explosion. Pressing herself against the hard bench, she stared in awe while he shivered half-naked before her. The wind picked up and tossed her red hair over her green eyes. It brushed against his body and the white feathers lifted into the night sky.

"You're… you're like an angel…" she whispered. "So… not levitation."

His eyes finally lifted to find hers and his mouth gave her a lopsided grin. Seeing the red tinge on his cheeks, she wasn't sure if he was blushing or if it was pink from the cold.

"Not levitation," he repeated with a quick nod. The wings stretched in the air and she saw that they rose to rival the tops of the cherry trees.

She finally found her voice.

"You can really fly…"

"I can."

"You weren't kidding…"

"I wasn't."

"You've got wings…"

"I do."

"How is this possible…?"

"Long story." He shrugged nonchalantly, but his grin grew wider.

"Tell me."

"Maybe after I put my clothes back on."

She giggled and stood up from the bench. He took a surprised step backward as she boldly walked up to him and began circling him slowly like an exposition piece. He stood calm and collected, but his wings constricted nervously. She smiled.

They betrayed his emotions.

"Your wings sprout from your spine and shoulder blades," she observed as she reached his back.

"Oh, is that right?" He smirked.

"Does it hurt when they come out?"

"It's like normal vox magic. It burns."

"So they are your vox magic," the redhead reasoned behind his head. "Why aren't they red?"

"Escaflowne is a white dragon. My wings are white. Makes sense when you think about it that way."

"You get them from Escaflowne?"

"I'll explain in a minute."

"Can I touch them?"

He blushed brightly. "Uh, sure?"

He felt a cold finger brush against the outer vein of a feather on his left wing, then another, and another. Her hand reached and touched his back where the beginning of the fluffy humerus connected to his shoulder blade. She followed the left wing and used the bone to guide her way to the ulna. The back of her fingers moved smoothly down the path of firm muscle and bone to the beginning of his longer feathers. As her hand reached the outer veins, his wings shuddered as if they weren't used to being touched this way.

"It's all so soft," she whispered. "I can feel the vox in them."

"I'm getting cold though." He chuckled and tried to hide a shiver.

He heard her sigh behind his head. "Why are you showing them to me?"

His smile lowered slightly. Turning to face her, his wings swished with the wind. He folded them on his back gently. "Look, with the possibility of an aerial attack, you'll be at a severe disadvantage."

A twitch of irritation immediately erased any awe that she'd felt before.

"What do you mean?" she asked more hotly than she meant to.

"I can fly. I can stop the Guymelefs if it comes to that."

Taking a step back, her frown increased. "You don't think I can handle it?"

"I'm not saying that." He shook his head slowly. "I'm saying it might be too dangerous for someone like-"

"Someone like me?" she shot back. "Someone who can't magically sprout wings like a goose!?"

"A goose?" he cried out and his wings twitched in irritation at the comparison. "No, no, that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean, Van?"

"I meant that Rutilus is at a disadvantage, that's all!"

"What was the reason for showing me your wings then? To convince me to not go to battle?" She crossed her arms angrily and turned away to the pink azaleas. "I'm going whether you like it or not."

"It's not about that!"

She rounded on him immediately. "So tell me then! What is this about? Because I think you're just stalling!"

"Stalling? How am I stalling?"

"Stalling till you find the right words to convince me. Admit it, you don't want me to go!"

He grabbed her shoulders. "Of course, I don't want you to go! Are you mad!?"

"But I have to, Van! This is what I'm here for! I have to protect you!"

"I heard about that speech you gave to the Council. How you are here to save me. But I'm here for you as well! We have to protect each other!"

"What is wrong with you?" she yelled, stepping back to break his hold on her shoulders. "After all that I've done! After everything you said before! You still don't trust me to do this!"

"It's not about trust!"

"Oh, really?

"It's about keeping you alive!"

"And you don't think I can do that myself?" Hitomi crossed her arms. The core inside her chest trembled with her anger. "I am your Vehotus Commander, Van! I am going to battle because I earned that right! You said so yourself! Was that all a lie? How many times do I have to prove myself to you before you get it?"

"And what are you going to do when the Red Guymelefs are flying over your head and raining fire at you?" He took another step forward and she backed away. The back of her thighs brushed the azaleas. "Do you have a plan for that, Hitomi?"

Her mouth fell open, but she didn't have words.

"I thought so," he scoffed and turned away. She watched as his wings dissipated from his back and the wind whipped up feathers as they slipped from him. He walked over to the bench and grabbed his clothes.

"I'll figure it out," she finally said. "I did it at the Trials. I can do it again-"

"This is war, Hitomi." He pulled on the white laces of his undershirt. "You can't just wing it. Every decision will cost lives."

"You think I don't know that?" she snapped, pushing back the burn in her eyes. "What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? I thought we understood each other."

Pulling the red shirt over his head, his black hair tumbled over his forehead. "Look, I was talking with Escaflowne the other day-"

"Escaflowne?"

"He said something and it made me realize that just because you are the Pilot doesn't mean you are immortal. I put you with the Red Guymelefs because I knew you could take them out, but this was before. Now that they can fly, it changes things."

"It doesn't."

He gave her a pained look. "Please don't be like this."

"You have no problem sending the other Vehotus to battle! Why am I the odd one out? Why don't you grovel at Allen or Dryden to stay here and you can take their place?"

Now it was his turn for his words to falter.

"I'm going to battle, Van, and you will stay here. I will do my duty to you as Vehotus Commander and Pilot." Hitomi walked closer and her back straightened. Her core, vox seeping slowly out during the entire debate, cracked even more. "I control lightning. I control water. I will fulfill my destiny and you can't stop me!"

Unknown to her, the gold in her eyes gleamed dangerously and Van actually felt a twinge of alarm. The wind had picked up, but it seemed to avoid touching her; making her the eye of a temperate cyclone. Some of his feathers that hadn't been carried off by the wind were swirling around her. Leaves and flower buds tore from the plants.

"Hitomi, you need to calm down…" he said slowly, his hair blowing into his face. His cloak blew back against the bench and the edges flapped violently. It looked like it was holding on for dear life.

"I will do what I want!" She roared and the dark clear sky began to cloud over them. "I will fight and I will win!"

A bolt of lightning cracked through the garden and struck a magnolia tree ten feet away from where they were standing. She gasped in shock and finally felt the hard burn of her raging vox soaring through her body. Closing her eyes quickly, she soothed the magic down and slowly bled it back to her core. Taking deep steady breaths, she finally opened her gold-tinged eyes to see Van staring at her wide-eyed.

"Don't you ever bring this up again," she warned dangerously. Marching past him, she avoided his hand that tried to grab her arm and hurried to the bench. Snatching up the golden silk gift, she felt her mind's-eye leave her body for half a second and slip to the Chapel.

"Wait!" Van cried, hurrying to her.

But she disappeared with a small wisp of gold.

---

Poor magnolia trees. They really felt your wrath today…

I am such a child. I acted like an uncontrollable idiot.

Well, that may be so, but I think it was necessary. I'm getting tired of people treating you like this.

Rutilus… Hitomi paused before her vanity mirror and sighed. Grabbing Rutilus without saying hello to Escaflowne, she had Transported back to her rooms and slipped on the pendant at once. Dumping Van's gift and her gear on the bed, tears trailed silently down her cheeks as she told her friend what had happened. She paced around the room like a caged animal in only her undershirt; her bare feet slapping the stone.

Now, weary and exhausted, she sat on her vanity's stool and grimaced at her reflection.

I can't believe he said that. After everything I've done!

I know, sweet. I know.

Is he seriously that worried? I can take care of myself!

Of course, you can.

I was just tired! I'll handle you better tomorrow! I promise!

Exactly! You're not even using vox magic with me yet! It makes things a lot more… static. She felt the pendant grow warm on her chest and she reached up to gently hold the stone. You should take it easy with Van though. He's being sweet, albeit in a very, very annoying way.

I wish he wouldn't.

Take it this way, Hitomi. This is probably the only way he knows how to show he cares about you. That you are important to him. He also got you a present and showed you his wings and let you touch them… Man, why didn't you bring me?

Hitomi snorted a laugh through her stuffed nose. Wiping her green eyes on her sleeve, she glanced back at the bed where the present sat.

I guess I should open it, huh?

Absolutely!

Standing, she crossed to the bed and picked up the package. It was soft; wrapped in lovely golden silk and tied with a purple ribbon. With a quick breath, she undid the bow and the silk fell away.

A black cloak swished to the floor. Its golden print on the hem a thin swirl; like uneven ripples on a tide.

---

Brown, thoughtful eyes flicking over the dark slick streets, Yukari attempted once again to shrug off the anticipated sourness that had gathered in her belly for the past few weeks. Carriages, each one identical to the last, were parked like a row of ants outside the estate's intricate wrought iron gates. Apparently, coaches with square windows and vanilla cream curtains had become the latest trend in high society. Looking out the long window from the third story, her eyes focused on her dark reflection and she tugged on the blue sash to straighten the large bow at her waist. That fixed, her hand traveled up to the pile of dull brown curls that covered the top of her head. Her current attire was Clara's doing. A ball, a party, yet another gathering with Auntie Olive's high class friends. Her hand dropped back to her lap. She barely registered the merry string quartet conclude the lively dancing jig until the violin struck a small familiar scaling chord. Her attention was suddenly captured and she turned to the active dance floor in surprise. Spying her sister in her flounces and surrounded by chattering ladies and gentlemen alike, Yukari sighed.

Her sister probably wasn't even listening to the music.

'Oh, Ye Who Danced the Desert Tides.' It was a familiar dance in Castra; a personal favorite of General Chester's. A small smile unknowingly lifted her lips as the cello joined in with the violin right on cue. The bass struck quick staccato notes to punctuate a one-two-three rhythm. Almost like the hoof beats of a galloping horse…

Yukari turned back to the window to lean her forehead against the cold glass. Her stomach gave an unnatural lurch of homesickness. She wished she was there now. The nostalgic song soured as she remembered dancing to this exact song at General Chester's home – looking over her shoulder to see if Amano was watching her.

He never did. He was always too busy with Clara anyway.

Oh, Amano. If only things were simpler. If only she could turn off her feelings.

If only she knew what to do.

What she wouldn't give to be dancing with those stiff black-clad regimented soldiers; happily carefree and surrounded by the warmth of home.

She felt a foot press on the hem of her cream skirt and she turned from the window to see a large, hopeful face grinning down at her.

"It is rude of me to approach you without a proper introduction and disturb your silent reverie, but your sister is unfortunately unavailable to make the acquaintance." A large gentleman, his head full of thick chocolate cowlicks, bowed to her in a tailored, crisp, three-piece suit. His unbuttoned doublet flapped opened and Yukari resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Fancy-laziness had recently become the popular style in Gutte. When he straightened up, a stray curl fell over his forehead. With a wide smile and honest green eyes, her first impression was that he was attractive in an older burly sense. He was at least several years older than her; judging by the wrinkles gathered at the corners of his mouth. Despite his age, his body was strong; his chest thick and his arms showing bulging biceps even through the suit's fitted sleeves.

Her eyes then landed on the large puffy burn on the side of his neck and the jagged scar running sideways from the middle of his left cheek to his ear. He noticed her studying him and his smile looked a little more forced.

"Please allow me the opportunity to introduce myself, madam. I am Major Fredrick Adolphus. My father was good friends with your aunt's late husband."

His unexpected appearance combined with his sincere earnestness to speak with her kept her mute. She blinked up at him stupidly; her eyes unable to leave the hideous burn on his neck. His genteel smile slipped completely from his lips as he waited for her response.

"I apologize for my offense-"

"NO!" Yukari finally found her voice and immediately mentally slapped herself for looking like a fool. "No, it's quite alright. I was lost in thought. Of course, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is-"

"Miss Yukari Uchida. Sorry, I-uh… I asked your sister," he interrupted quickly with a blush. The coloring made the thick jagged scar on his cheek turn bright red. Yukari's eyebrows raised in surprise and she glanced across the room to see Clara on the dance floor. The gentleman her sister was dancing with looked blinded by the sight of her. Not surprising, considering Auntie Olive had doted on Clara like a simpering poodle and had bought her a completely new wardrobe while in Gutte.

Two peas in a pod.

Yukari felt another wave of homesickness.

"I heard from your sister that you are from the Castra Providence, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir," she nodded. "My family's house is half a mile from the regiment camp."

"You are unfamiliar with the cold rain we've been having lately?"

"It's unpleasant, certainly. After being conditioned to the heat, the cold feels almost unnatural." She smiled up at him kindly and his blush reappeared on his cheeks.

The Major cleared his throat and asked, "Despite the rainy weather, how are you liking Gutte?"

Yukari wondered if she should be honest. Looking into his clear green eyes, she sighed heavily at the weight on her shoulders. "It's about what I expected. I find myself lost amidst a sea of glamour and fashion. Party after party. It is difficult to find a place to be alone just to think."

The Major's smile faltered again. "I should have known. I do apologize once more for disturbing you, madam. I really should have just waited on your sister for the introduction."

Yukari was taken back by his misunderstanding and quick apologies. "Oh, no! It's not you, Major! Please understand. So far, with only a handful of sentences, yours has been the most normal conversation I've had in weeks. I didn't mean for that comment to suggest you leaving. I guess you could say I'm just homesick."

"Well, as I said before, I was waiting like proper propriety has asked me to do, but your sister was too well-engaged to comply." He looked stricken. "Not that I blame her…"

"Don't worry. I blame her for putting you in this position," Yukari said honestly. "She's a brat."

The Major's grin was immediately back on his lips. "I knew it would be worth coming up to you myself. Your sister gave me your name and where you were from, and then walked off surrounded by several of my more rowdy associates. The temptation for a normal conversation proved too appealing to ignore. Most of the conversations around me revolved around more… unpleasant matters…" His face blushed again and the scar stood out vividly. A swell of pity rushed through her as she watched him nervously scratch the burn on his neck.

"This is a refreshing change of pace. I also am tired of all this gossip. Honestly, I feel as if I'm judged no matter what I wear or say or where I go. Being from Castra is probably even worse – though Clara seems to be playing it off well. I look forward to having this normal conversation, Major." She grinned cheekily. "But what happens if someone tries to join us? What will the others think when they learn we are being so normal?"

"Perhaps I should make mention the fineness of your blue sash just to throw them off? Or the lovely way your curls drape on your neck?"

All cheekiness died as the blood rushed to her cheeks and burned. Without thinking, she reached up and touched her hair. Did a man really just compliment her appearance? She was tempted to glance at her reflection in the window to confirm his words. A twinge of nervous heat filled her belly as his green eyes left her and trailed to the floor. Behind him, the sound of creaking floorboards from the dancers absorbed the string of awkwardness.

"Might I ask about Castra?" the Major said finally breaking the silence. "Is it as dry as Gutte is wet?"

Yukari latched onto the subject gratefully. "Perhaps more so. I do love Gutte's green plants and natural wildlife. Castra can hardly handle one tree. Most of the time, if a lawn isn't kept up daily, the grass will shrivel the next day. I had a garden before we left." Her smile drifted off her lips. "My plants are probably dead now."

"Your friends in Castra couldn't take care of it for you?"

Yukari's eyes lowered to her lap solemnly. "No."

The large man shifted his feet nervously; the toe of his boot leaving a dirty mark on her skirt. Looking at that small spot, Yukari found that she didn't mind the print. Between all the perfection and allure that was Gutte, Yukari felt lost and alone. She missed her soiled aprons and the black mulch underneath her fingernails. In a way, the Major's dirty shoe print made her feel a little normal again.

A little dirt within this world of glitter.

The Major reached up to scratch the burn on his neck again. "If I may be so bold, I would happily help you restart the garden when I come to Castra."

She blinked in surprise. An unfamiliar jolt of pleasure ran down her spine. "Y-You are coming to Castra?"

He nodded. "In about three months."

"Three months? Why would you visit?"

Fredrick's smile dipped only a fraction. "I am new to the rank of Major. Actually just promoted a week ago. I have to spend two weeks in each province before I begin my service."

"Where was your main province?"

"Further north," he dismissed with a wave of his large hand.

"I would welcome the help with the garden," she said sincerely. "Thank you so much for offering. I will look forward to seeing you in Castra."

"You'll have to show me all the sites."

A barking laugh burst from Yukari's lips at that comment and she covered her mouth with a blush of embarrassment. The Major's green eyes widened before he let out a small laugh as well.

"Well, I was going to ask you to dance once I felt we were fully established as acquaintances, but I am much diverted with our normal conversation. Do you mind if I join you by the window?"

An actual acquaintance. A potential friend. Someone who liked her hair.

Yukari smiled brightly and scooted over on the window seat to give her new acquaintance some room.

---

I hope you enjoyed this large thingy! It was really fun to dive head-first back into this world. Like I said before, I am working on the next chapter and we are going to battle soon! I have set up quite a bit of reveals for the next couple of chapters - this one in particular has introduced someone very, very important.

Also... Van showed her his wings. lol! Also, that brother and sister canine pair are inspired by my own little puppies I recently got. Also, I have a job now and that's probably the reason why I am updating. Also, depression is a terrible thing. Also, my lovely Kerapal Bubbles left a note to you:

HELLO LOVELIES! Mad props to blue for being the SUPER AMAZING TALENTED WRITER that she is! I had a lot of fun editing this chapter! See you all next time! –bubbles

She's the best! Seriously, this chapter would be garbo without her. Anywho, I better dash! Be excited for upcoming posts because it's happening! EEEEK!

blue...