Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of Fire and Shadow ❯ Part Six ( Chapter 6 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Feye Morgan 
Anime/Manga: Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.05.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 239 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.05.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 239 | Status: Completed
For clarification:
No one has brought this up; I just thought of it. The timeline at the end of the series was kind of...distorted in my version. Van flies to Dornkirk to save Hitomi before he confronts Dilandau on the battlefield. So: van saves Hitomi, the magic eight ball breaks, and Hitomi disappears in Van's arms on the spot, after hurriedly giving him the pendant. Van, shocked and embittered, is stupid and reverts to the snobbish brat we know from episode one, only now he is consumed with bloodlust on the battlefield. OK? This is a what-if Van version. I really don't have the heart to kill the Van from the series. I hate him, but not enough to kill him. After all, he does have his good points...*grumble grumble*. THIS Van, however, is the arrogant, bloodthirsty Van he would have become if Hitomi had never shown up. Now, what he goes through in the aura is much like what Dilandau went through in the paths of the dead. The reason Dilandau made it and Van didn't is because Van simply isn't as strong as Dilandau. They both went through many hardships, but Dilandau takes the cake in my opinion. Plus, Dilandau has his Dragonslayers to help him. He would have faded if not for him. The question is raised in this chapter of what if Van had had someone to help him during the aura trial. And no, Merle doesn't count. He loves her, but she wasn't able to prevent him from turning into a complete creepazoid. Even Hitomi couldn't completely purge him of that. *Feye recalls the incident in Ep. 14 when Van throws Hitomi to the ground when she begs him not to use Escaflowne* Grrr... Poor Hitomi. So. Yes. There's my long explanation. Go me. *laughs nervously*
JOURNEY OF FIRE AND SHADOW: PART SIX by Feye Morgan
Van Fanel was dead.
Instead of feeling elated, Dilandau simply felt relieved, as if a great weight had been removed from his shoulders, and he could finally walk upright. He gazed down at the fallen king, and in his eyes there was no longer hatred.
~Goodbye, Van Fanel~
Dryden cleared his throat.
~Here it comes. Good or bad, I wonder?~
Dilandau turned toward the small group of nobles. His posture and expression mirrored the calm inside.
"I await your descision," Dilandau said clearly. "Do we live or do we die...again?"
Eires frowned slightly, as if battling herself. Dryden too seemed unsure. Millerna, on the other hand, had made up her mind quickly.
"As Queen of Asturia, I have the power to pardon your crimes. I would do so, but for one noticeable fact." Here she paused. Dilandau tensed slightly, wondering if he would need to call his Dragonslayers out. He eyed the Queen warily.
Millerna smiled. "Your crimes seem to have been erased. You are, as you have told us, in your second life, and therefore all that you have previously done is no longer applicable. I therefore cancel the execution and offer you asylum in Asturia. I have no reason to doubt Hitomi's pendant, and the visions seemed to me in no way fabricated. Not that I would know, but I believe my feelings are shared by those who saw them with me, is that not correct?" Millerna looked to her companions.
Slowly, Dryden nodded. Chid, Gaddess and (after some hesitation) Eires smiled their agreement
"NO!"
All heads turned to where Van lay motionless. Merle stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks. She glared defiantly up at Dilandau. Her eyes were filled with pain and hatred.
"You killed VAN-SAMA! I HATE you! I HATE you!" Snarling, she launched herself at the albino. Dilandau grasped her wrists to prevent her from scratching him up. Merle resorted to kicking and biting, her loss twisting her to frantic desperation. Dilandau gritted his teeth, determined not to hurt her. The albino wished he hadn't left his armor on the battlefield.
~I would definitely be justified in self-defense, but now is not the time~ Dilandau thought, seeing Millerna and Dryden out of the corner of his eye. He held back a sigh of relief as Gaddess grabbed Merle from behind, pinioning her arms to her sides. Merle struggled futilly, and then burst into tears. Hugging the distraught cat-girl, Gaddess carried her to the airship. One of Gaddess' men picked up Van's inert form and followed.
Dilandau felt a slight pang of remorse. He furrowed his brow in puzzlement.
~I feel bad for the cat-girl? Yes, I suppose I do~
Was Merle as close to Van as Dilandau was to his Dragonslayers? In that case, was he wrong to kill Van?
~No~ Dilandau corrected himself. ~I did not kill Van. He failed the test. The aura killed him. He wasn't strong enough to hold up. I wonder...I wonder if the departure of that girl had anything to do with it. If she was still here, would he have survived? There was something between them. Even I was able to see that~
Dilandau decided he would have to ponder the issue further at some later time. He turned back to Millerna.
"So, are we free then?"
The Queen nodded graciously.
Dilandau smiled. "Everybody out!"
The Dragonslayers appeared from their hiding places and rushed to form a line in front of Dilandau. Dilandau grinned at the expression on Eires's face.
"You are no longer Dragonslayers, so I will not require you to stand at attention before me."
They stared at him increduliously.
"The Dragon is dead. We have new lives now. I am no longer your commander."
"Yes, Dilandau-sama," they choroused.
~They'll learn, eventually~
"Well," Millerna said, trying to hide a smile. Eires was staring in disbelief at the former Dragonslayers. "I believe we have no further business here. Dilandau, you and your friends are welcome to accompany us back to Palas, if that is where you wish to go."
"We will go wherever you do, Dilandau-sama." Gatti spoke for all of them.
Dilandau nodded. He had known they would. "We will go to Palas."
A far off sound of thunder caused the crowd to turn.
~Thunder? There is not a cloud in the sky. That is the sound of an approaching guymelef~
Dilandau sighed. He might as well wait for the newcomer. He was no longer in any danger.
Scherezade burst into view, charging at full speed directly for Dilandau. The albino's eyes grew huge, and he back-pedaled furiously away, his ex-slayers instinctively keeping in front of him protectively.
~Wait! Why is he trying to kill me?~ Dilandau thought confusedly. He held his katana in front of him, determined to put up a fight, even though he knew that he was as good as dead if Allen should choose to strike at him.
Scherezade placed itself between Dilandau and the Asturian soldiers.
"Stop! I won't let you harm him!" Allen's voice was directed at the crowd.
"Allen-" Millerna began. But Allen, panicky, cut her off.
"You won't solve Gaea's problems by killing Dilandau!"
"Allen!"
"You'll have to go through me first!"
"ALLEN!"
"Stop! Dilandau is my sister!"
Dead silence.
~Oh...my...god...~ Dilandau hid his hands in his face and mentally strung Schezar up...repeatedly.
~You -idiot- Schezar! I'll...I'll cut off all your hair, damn you!~
When he finally uncovered his eyes, no one had moved. Millerna, Dryden, Eires, and Chid all wore expressions of complete shock mixed with worry.
"A-Allen," Millerna started. "First of all, Dilandau is safe. Second of all...have you gone mad?"
"Serena is safe?" Allen asked.
"Dilandau," Eires stressed the name, "has been given sanctuary in Asturia, by order of Queen Millerna.
"Praise the gods," Allen sighed with relief. The cockpit opened with a hiss, and Dilandau saw the blonde knight jump to the ground. He turned to face Dilandau, a smile of relief and apprehension plastered to his face.
"Let me handle him," Dilandau muttered to his friends. Dutifully, they stepped to the side, still ready to jump in should their leader (for they still viewed him as such) be in any trouble.
"Serena?" Allen asked. "Do you remember me? It's all right to turn back. Come back, Serena."
"Oh shut up, Schezar. Yes I remember Serena; yes I remember you."
Allen halted, confused.
"Let me guess. You believe that your dear precious innocent sweet sister is trapped within me somewhere, right?"
Allen nodded cautiously.
"Surprise. I -am- Serena. I -am- Dilandau. We are one person. You fought Serena on top of the Crusade; you bartered with her over supplies. That was me, and thus that was her. We are inseperable. Get over it."
"Dilandau? Are you saying that he's right?" Chid's was incredulous.
"Yes. I was kidnapped by the Zaibach madoushi. The first vision you saw was the result of their experiment with me. I was changed from a blonde girl to a silver boy. That, and the memory loss, however, was the -only- change that occurred. They did not create a separate person."
Allen shook his head. "I will not believe that. Sweet Serena is not capable of the atrocities you have commited. I will have her back." Allen's voice took on menacing overtones.
"And what are you going to do, Schezar? Threaten me? Give me a break. Let's go, men." Dilandau began to walk over to Millerna's small group. As he passed Allen, the knight's face contorted, and he lunged at Dilandau. The albino found his wrists held in a vice-like grip, Allen bending down to look him in the eyes.
"Let her go," Allen growled.
Dilandau just watched Allen calmly.
~He won't do anything. He can't. Not without hurting his'precious sister'~
"Allen!" Millerna's voice was sharp. "You will release him this instant." The tone in her voice made it clear that the order was from a Queen, not a friend, and was not open to discussion.
Slowly, Allen loosened his grip on Dilandau. The albino wrenched free and continued to walk away with his friends.
"What about Van? He will never leave you in peace. Turn back, and you won't have to worry about him any longer!" Allen simply couldn't give up.
"Van is dead," Dilandau replied without slowing. He reached Millerna, made the courtesy bow required, and turned around.
Allen stared at the former soldier. "Y-you killed him?"
"No," Dryden answered. "He did not. Van was confronted with visions of Dilandau's past and of Van's own crimes. He was unable to overcome his hatred for Dilandau, and was killed by the stress from the visions."
"Visions?" Allen was in a daze.
Millerna smiled kindly. "You've had a trying day. Why don't you come with us on the aiship back to Palas? You can rest on the way. I promise you that everything will be explained to you later. I will have someone take care of your guymelef."
Allen nodded vaguely, and allowed himself to be guided by Eires, along with the rest of the small group and the royal guards, to the small airship.
*~*~*~*~*
The flight to Palas was short; no longer than an hour and a half. The former Dragonslayers took advantage of the time to sleep. They were completely worn out. Dilandau himself did not realize how tired he was until they had taken off. But he did not allow himself to sleep yet. The albino sat next to Queen Millerna, and asked the foremost question on his mind.
"Queen Millerna, exactly what do I do now?"
She regarded him for a few moments before answering. "That, I believe, is entirely up to you, Dilandau."
Dilandau stared at her. "I can...I can do what I want?"
"Within limits, of course," she smiled. "You are really on a sort of probation. The people will most likely not take kindly to your being granted asylum, but I am Queen, and they trust me enough to abide by my decision without too much complaint. Mostly, they, and especially the nobles, will monitor your behavior closely. You will be expected to attend court functions, as you are a member of the Schezar family." She shook her golden curls in amazement. "I still cannot believe all of that is true." She looked at Dilandau. "Are you really Serena?"
Dilandau nodded. "I am."
Her eyes probed his for several moments, looking for any hint of deciet. She found none.
"I think I can almost see her in you."
"Not in me, Lady. We are one."
"Yes, yes, that is what I mean," she said absently, still studying him. Dilandau shifted in his seat slightly. Such close crutiny made him nervous. Millerna noticed, and looked away.
"As long as you don't destroy anything or cause any fights, you will be perfectly fine. I would keep in public, though. The citizens will become suspicious if you hide from view. They will need to see that you are no longer a threat."
Dilandau nodded in agreement.
"While we are on the subject, what do you plan to do? Knowing your past life, I expect you will not just sit around. Will you become a soldier again?"
Dilandau shook his head slowly. "No. I left that way of life behind me when I walked the paths of the dead. I feel no desire to return."
Millerna nodded understandingly. "So what then? Have you thought much on it?"
Dilandau was silent for some time.
~I could do something with fire, maybe... Cooking, perhaps? No. That wouldn't do. The first time I cooked Folken banned me from the kitchen, saying that my excuse for food wouldn't suit a ravenous dragon. Hrmph. Politics, maybe? No...~
For some reason, Dilandau found his mind wandering inexorably back to the dark night upon the catwalk five years ago, when he had lost himself in a small, thin instrument. He found, to his mild surprise, that that was all he really wanted to do with his life. Music. It was the escape, the comfort he had lacked in his past life.
~Perhaps I could write, too. Yes, just play and write. That sounds like a nice change~
"Are there any positions open for musicians?" Dilandau asked finally.
Millerna looked at him with surprise, until she too remembered the vision.
"Yes, there are. Although doubtless you would like to practice beforehand. I know someone who would be very adept at teaching you."
Dilandau cocked his head to the side curiously. "Who?"
"Eires-hime."
Dilandau raised a silvery eyebrow. "Eires? She hates me."
"No, she doesn't hate you. She is just having trouble becoming accustomed to the change. Besides, this would allow her to get to know you better."
"I don't know if I really want that, but I accept, if she is willing to teach me."
"Good. Now we have that settled."
Dilandau smiled slightly. "She hasn't even agreed yet."
"Oh yes she has. She may be my elder sister, but she will agree. I'll see to it that she does."
Dilandau was pleasantly surprised at this new side to Millerna.
~The mischievous little sister? I never saw it in her. How interesting~
"One week from now there will be a formal court ceremony in memory of King Van Fanel and also in celebration of the close of the Destiny War. You will be expected to attend."
"You're combining a celebration and a funeral? That's tacky."
"The formal funeral will take place later. It remains to be decided who will reign over Fanelia, and that takes time."
A glimmer of an idea hit Dilandau. He bent over and whispered something into Millerna's ear. Her expression went from startled to contemplative in a matter of seconds.
"Hmmm. Do you think she could?" Millerna asked curiously.
"I have no idea. I'd only actually met her today, and briefly at that, but considering her experiences, I think she would do a fine job."
"I will consider it. Don't tell her yet."
"Wouldn't dream of it, " Dilandau scoffed.
The albino, run out of topics to discuss, leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. The hum of the motor was oddly soothing.
~So tired...~
Dilandau drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
~*~*~*~*~
No one has brought this up; I just thought of it. The timeline at the end of the series was kind of...distorted in my version. Van flies to Dornkirk to save Hitomi before he confronts Dilandau on the battlefield. So: van saves Hitomi, the magic eight ball breaks, and Hitomi disappears in Van's arms on the spot, after hurriedly giving him the pendant. Van, shocked and embittered, is stupid and reverts to the snobbish brat we know from episode one, only now he is consumed with bloodlust on the battlefield. OK? This is a what-if Van version. I really don't have the heart to kill the Van from the series. I hate him, but not enough to kill him. After all, he does have his good points...*grumble grumble*. THIS Van, however, is the arrogant, bloodthirsty Van he would have become if Hitomi had never shown up. Now, what he goes through in the aura is much like what Dilandau went through in the paths of the dead. The reason Dilandau made it and Van didn't is because Van simply isn't as strong as Dilandau. They both went through many hardships, but Dilandau takes the cake in my opinion. Plus, Dilandau has his Dragonslayers to help him. He would have faded if not for him. The question is raised in this chapter of what if Van had had someone to help him during the aura trial. And no, Merle doesn't count. He loves her, but she wasn't able to prevent him from turning into a complete creepazoid. Even Hitomi couldn't completely purge him of that. *Feye recalls the incident in Ep. 14 when Van throws Hitomi to the ground when she begs him not to use Escaflowne* Grrr... Poor Hitomi. So. Yes. There's my long explanation. Go me. *laughs nervously*
JOURNEY OF FIRE AND SHADOW: PART SIX by Feye Morgan
Van Fanel was dead.
Instead of feeling elated, Dilandau simply felt relieved, as if a great weight had been removed from his shoulders, and he could finally walk upright. He gazed down at the fallen king, and in his eyes there was no longer hatred.
~Goodbye, Van Fanel~
Dryden cleared his throat.
~Here it comes. Good or bad, I wonder?~
Dilandau turned toward the small group of nobles. His posture and expression mirrored the calm inside.
"I await your descision," Dilandau said clearly. "Do we live or do we die...again?"
Eires frowned slightly, as if battling herself. Dryden too seemed unsure. Millerna, on the other hand, had made up her mind quickly.
"As Queen of Asturia, I have the power to pardon your crimes. I would do so, but for one noticeable fact." Here she paused. Dilandau tensed slightly, wondering if he would need to call his Dragonslayers out. He eyed the Queen warily.
Millerna smiled. "Your crimes seem to have been erased. You are, as you have told us, in your second life, and therefore all that you have previously done is no longer applicable. I therefore cancel the execution and offer you asylum in Asturia. I have no reason to doubt Hitomi's pendant, and the visions seemed to me in no way fabricated. Not that I would know, but I believe my feelings are shared by those who saw them with me, is that not correct?" Millerna looked to her companions.
Slowly, Dryden nodded. Chid, Gaddess and (after some hesitation) Eires smiled their agreement
"NO!"
All heads turned to where Van lay motionless. Merle stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks. She glared defiantly up at Dilandau. Her eyes were filled with pain and hatred.
"You killed VAN-SAMA! I HATE you! I HATE you!" Snarling, she launched herself at the albino. Dilandau grasped her wrists to prevent her from scratching him up. Merle resorted to kicking and biting, her loss twisting her to frantic desperation. Dilandau gritted his teeth, determined not to hurt her. The albino wished he hadn't left his armor on the battlefield.
~I would definitely be justified in self-defense, but now is not the time~ Dilandau thought, seeing Millerna and Dryden out of the corner of his eye. He held back a sigh of relief as Gaddess grabbed Merle from behind, pinioning her arms to her sides. Merle struggled futilly, and then burst into tears. Hugging the distraught cat-girl, Gaddess carried her to the airship. One of Gaddess' men picked up Van's inert form and followed.
Dilandau felt a slight pang of remorse. He furrowed his brow in puzzlement.
~I feel bad for the cat-girl? Yes, I suppose I do~
Was Merle as close to Van as Dilandau was to his Dragonslayers? In that case, was he wrong to kill Van?
~No~ Dilandau corrected himself. ~I did not kill Van. He failed the test. The aura killed him. He wasn't strong enough to hold up. I wonder...I wonder if the departure of that girl had anything to do with it. If she was still here, would he have survived? There was something between them. Even I was able to see that~
Dilandau decided he would have to ponder the issue further at some later time. He turned back to Millerna.
"So, are we free then?"
The Queen nodded graciously.
Dilandau smiled. "Everybody out!"
The Dragonslayers appeared from their hiding places and rushed to form a line in front of Dilandau. Dilandau grinned at the expression on Eires's face.
"You are no longer Dragonslayers, so I will not require you to stand at attention before me."
They stared at him increduliously.
"The Dragon is dead. We have new lives now. I am no longer your commander."
"Yes, Dilandau-sama," they choroused.
~They'll learn, eventually~
"Well," Millerna said, trying to hide a smile. Eires was staring in disbelief at the former Dragonslayers. "I believe we have no further business here. Dilandau, you and your friends are welcome to accompany us back to Palas, if that is where you wish to go."
"We will go wherever you do, Dilandau-sama." Gatti spoke for all of them.
Dilandau nodded. He had known they would. "We will go to Palas."
A far off sound of thunder caused the crowd to turn.
~Thunder? There is not a cloud in the sky. That is the sound of an approaching guymelef~
Dilandau sighed. He might as well wait for the newcomer. He was no longer in any danger.
Scherezade burst into view, charging at full speed directly for Dilandau. The albino's eyes grew huge, and he back-pedaled furiously away, his ex-slayers instinctively keeping in front of him protectively.
~Wait! Why is he trying to kill me?~ Dilandau thought confusedly. He held his katana in front of him, determined to put up a fight, even though he knew that he was as good as dead if Allen should choose to strike at him.
Scherezade placed itself between Dilandau and the Asturian soldiers.
"Stop! I won't let you harm him!" Allen's voice was directed at the crowd.
"Allen-" Millerna began. But Allen, panicky, cut her off.
"You won't solve Gaea's problems by killing Dilandau!"
"Allen!"
"You'll have to go through me first!"
"ALLEN!"
"Stop! Dilandau is my sister!"
Dead silence.
~Oh...my...god...~ Dilandau hid his hands in his face and mentally strung Schezar up...repeatedly.
~You -idiot- Schezar! I'll...I'll cut off all your hair, damn you!~
When he finally uncovered his eyes, no one had moved. Millerna, Dryden, Eires, and Chid all wore expressions of complete shock mixed with worry.
"A-Allen," Millerna started. "First of all, Dilandau is safe. Second of all...have you gone mad?"
"Serena is safe?" Allen asked.
"Dilandau," Eires stressed the name, "has been given sanctuary in Asturia, by order of Queen Millerna.
"Praise the gods," Allen sighed with relief. The cockpit opened with a hiss, and Dilandau saw the blonde knight jump to the ground. He turned to face Dilandau, a smile of relief and apprehension plastered to his face.
"Let me handle him," Dilandau muttered to his friends. Dutifully, they stepped to the side, still ready to jump in should their leader (for they still viewed him as such) be in any trouble.
"Serena?" Allen asked. "Do you remember me? It's all right to turn back. Come back, Serena."
"Oh shut up, Schezar. Yes I remember Serena; yes I remember you."
Allen halted, confused.
"Let me guess. You believe that your dear precious innocent sweet sister is trapped within me somewhere, right?"
Allen nodded cautiously.
"Surprise. I -am- Serena. I -am- Dilandau. We are one person. You fought Serena on top of the Crusade; you bartered with her over supplies. That was me, and thus that was her. We are inseperable. Get over it."
"Dilandau? Are you saying that he's right?" Chid's was incredulous.
"Yes. I was kidnapped by the Zaibach madoushi. The first vision you saw was the result of their experiment with me. I was changed from a blonde girl to a silver boy. That, and the memory loss, however, was the -only- change that occurred. They did not create a separate person."
Allen shook his head. "I will not believe that. Sweet Serena is not capable of the atrocities you have commited. I will have her back." Allen's voice took on menacing overtones.
"And what are you going to do, Schezar? Threaten me? Give me a break. Let's go, men." Dilandau began to walk over to Millerna's small group. As he passed Allen, the knight's face contorted, and he lunged at Dilandau. The albino found his wrists held in a vice-like grip, Allen bending down to look him in the eyes.
"Let her go," Allen growled.
Dilandau just watched Allen calmly.
~He won't do anything. He can't. Not without hurting his'precious sister'~
"Allen!" Millerna's voice was sharp. "You will release him this instant." The tone in her voice made it clear that the order was from a Queen, not a friend, and was not open to discussion.
Slowly, Allen loosened his grip on Dilandau. The albino wrenched free and continued to walk away with his friends.
"What about Van? He will never leave you in peace. Turn back, and you won't have to worry about him any longer!" Allen simply couldn't give up.
"Van is dead," Dilandau replied without slowing. He reached Millerna, made the courtesy bow required, and turned around.
Allen stared at the former soldier. "Y-you killed him?"
"No," Dryden answered. "He did not. Van was confronted with visions of Dilandau's past and of Van's own crimes. He was unable to overcome his hatred for Dilandau, and was killed by the stress from the visions."
"Visions?" Allen was in a daze.
Millerna smiled kindly. "You've had a trying day. Why don't you come with us on the aiship back to Palas? You can rest on the way. I promise you that everything will be explained to you later. I will have someone take care of your guymelef."
Allen nodded vaguely, and allowed himself to be guided by Eires, along with the rest of the small group and the royal guards, to the small airship.
*~*~*~*~*
The flight to Palas was short; no longer than an hour and a half. The former Dragonslayers took advantage of the time to sleep. They were completely worn out. Dilandau himself did not realize how tired he was until they had taken off. But he did not allow himself to sleep yet. The albino sat next to Queen Millerna, and asked the foremost question on his mind.
"Queen Millerna, exactly what do I do now?"
She regarded him for a few moments before answering. "That, I believe, is entirely up to you, Dilandau."
Dilandau stared at her. "I can...I can do what I want?"
"Within limits, of course," she smiled. "You are really on a sort of probation. The people will most likely not take kindly to your being granted asylum, but I am Queen, and they trust me enough to abide by my decision without too much complaint. Mostly, they, and especially the nobles, will monitor your behavior closely. You will be expected to attend court functions, as you are a member of the Schezar family." She shook her golden curls in amazement. "I still cannot believe all of that is true." She looked at Dilandau. "Are you really Serena?"
Dilandau nodded. "I am."
Her eyes probed his for several moments, looking for any hint of deciet. She found none.
"I think I can almost see her in you."
"Not in me, Lady. We are one."
"Yes, yes, that is what I mean," she said absently, still studying him. Dilandau shifted in his seat slightly. Such close crutiny made him nervous. Millerna noticed, and looked away.
"As long as you don't destroy anything or cause any fights, you will be perfectly fine. I would keep in public, though. The citizens will become suspicious if you hide from view. They will need to see that you are no longer a threat."
Dilandau nodded in agreement.
"While we are on the subject, what do you plan to do? Knowing your past life, I expect you will not just sit around. Will you become a soldier again?"
Dilandau shook his head slowly. "No. I left that way of life behind me when I walked the paths of the dead. I feel no desire to return."
Millerna nodded understandingly. "So what then? Have you thought much on it?"
Dilandau was silent for some time.
~I could do something with fire, maybe... Cooking, perhaps? No. That wouldn't do. The first time I cooked Folken banned me from the kitchen, saying that my excuse for food wouldn't suit a ravenous dragon. Hrmph. Politics, maybe? No...~
For some reason, Dilandau found his mind wandering inexorably back to the dark night upon the catwalk five years ago, when he had lost himself in a small, thin instrument. He found, to his mild surprise, that that was all he really wanted to do with his life. Music. It was the escape, the comfort he had lacked in his past life.
~Perhaps I could write, too. Yes, just play and write. That sounds like a nice change~
"Are there any positions open for musicians?" Dilandau asked finally.
Millerna looked at him with surprise, until she too remembered the vision.
"Yes, there are. Although doubtless you would like to practice beforehand. I know someone who would be very adept at teaching you."
Dilandau cocked his head to the side curiously. "Who?"
"Eires-hime."
Dilandau raised a silvery eyebrow. "Eires? She hates me."
"No, she doesn't hate you. She is just having trouble becoming accustomed to the change. Besides, this would allow her to get to know you better."
"I don't know if I really want that, but I accept, if she is willing to teach me."
"Good. Now we have that settled."
Dilandau smiled slightly. "She hasn't even agreed yet."
"Oh yes she has. She may be my elder sister, but she will agree. I'll see to it that she does."
Dilandau was pleasantly surprised at this new side to Millerna.
~The mischievous little sister? I never saw it in her. How interesting~
"One week from now there will be a formal court ceremony in memory of King Van Fanel and also in celebration of the close of the Destiny War. You will be expected to attend."
"You're combining a celebration and a funeral? That's tacky."
"The formal funeral will take place later. It remains to be decided who will reign over Fanelia, and that takes time."
A glimmer of an idea hit Dilandau. He bent over and whispered something into Millerna's ear. Her expression went from startled to contemplative in a matter of seconds.
"Hmmm. Do you think she could?" Millerna asked curiously.
"I have no idea. I'd only actually met her today, and briefly at that, but considering her experiences, I think she would do a fine job."
"I will consider it. Don't tell her yet."
"Wouldn't dream of it, " Dilandau scoffed.
The albino, run out of topics to discuss, leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. The hum of the motor was oddly soothing.
~So tired...~
Dilandau drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
~*~*~*~*~