Red is the Color of Blood chapter 2
by Catgirl 67

A/N: Yes, as you can tell by the summary, Folken won, hands-down,
as the person who should find her. Who she should fall in love with
was a tie between Dilandau and Folken, so I, as the almighty
authoress, shall choose one when we reach the romance chapter
(which will not be this one). Please read and review, and thanks for all
the name suggestions, everyone. I chose Rashka and Ziara, so thanks
to Golden Eagle and *** for that suggestion. I also used Astrid as the
name of her country. Oh, and how did Folken happen to be around
just as she was passing by? Plot hole.
Chapter 1

She froze in fear, not knowing whether or not to answer the man in
front of her. Etiquette would, of course, tell her to answer his
question, but then, etiquette didn't much matter out here.

"Are you all right?" He persisted.

"Ah, yes...I'm fine, thank you," she replied shortly, still unsure of
whether he had good intentions or not.

"Do you have a place to stay?" he continued to question her. She
imagined her disheveled and lost appearance caused him to ask this.

"No sir. My country was burned to the ground by Zaibach." She told
him quietly, tears springing to her eyes at the thought. He stiffened
slightly, so slightly she wasn't sure if she imagined it or not.

"I see. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Folken Stratagos, military
planner of Zaibach. What is your name?"

"My name is Rashka Ziara, princess of Astrid. You work for
Zaibach?" she asked, unable to believe that someone who worked for
that war-crazed empire could possibly be so nice and, well, sane.

"Yes. I am very sorry about your country, princess. Would you like to
come back to the headquarters with me?"

She hesitated. That would certainly be better than wandering around
in the rain, lost and hungry, but Zaibach? The empire that destroyed
her world, everything she held dear? She set her jaw. It was too late.
Astrid was gone, and there was nothing more that she could do about
it. Food and a place to stay was being offered to her. She would be
foolish to turn it down.

"I accept. Thank you." she said politely. She watched with mild
fascination as he stepped into a guymelef and the hand extended to
pick her up. She stepped into the claw as they took to the air, heading
toward a floating fortress that loomed threateningly in the distance.


Chapter 2

The sound of slapping could be heard as Folken and Rashka entered
the fortress.

"YOU WILL NOT FAIL ME AGAIN, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!"

"Y-yes Lord Dilandau!"

"Get out of my sight!"

Folken sighed, wondering what crime the soldiers were being
punished for. Probably breathing. He summoned a Zaibach soldier
that stood by the door.

"Show her to a room." He ordered. The man looked surprised because,
as one might expect, not many women are seen around Zaibach.

"Yes, Lord Folken," the man agreed obediently and headed off,
waiting for Rashka to follow him. She did, trailing after him as he
lead her through an intricate series of hallways, each one looking
identical to the next. Mentally, she reminded herself not to wander
around this place.

	The soldier opened a door. Inside was a fairly nice, if slightly
gloomy, room. As she entered, the soldier caught her shoulder.

"A word of warning," he cautioned, "your room is next to Lord
Dilandau's. DO NOT go in there unless you wish to die."

	Rashka felt a shiver go up her spine at the thought of what
would happen if she did, at the same moment a fire of rage sparked
inside her. He was the one who destroyed Astrid. How badly she
wanted to kill him. She lay down on the bed and tried to sleep and
escape her current problems, if only for a few hours.


"Why did you bring her back? Why didn't you just kill her?" Dilandau
demanded, enraged by Folken's actions.

	Folken sighed, wondering if Dilandau even knew what
compassion was.

"She's here now. I will clear it with Emperor Donkirk. I think we
might as well have her train." Folken said stiffly, knowing what
Dilandau's reaction to that suggestion would be.

"HAVE HER TRAIN? Folken, have you lost it? She's a girl!"
Dilandau yelled at the top of his lungs as usual.

"I will clear it with Emperor Donkirk," Folken repeated with complete
finality.

	Dilandau sighed and poured himself a glass of wine as Folken
exited the room and headed to meet with Emperor Donkirk who,
much to Dilandau's chagrin, agreed with Folken. Tomorrow Rashka's
training began.

Well, how'd you like the next two chapters? Please review!