From: [email protected] Date: Sun Jan 14, 2001 5:54pm Subject: A Silver Feather: Ch. 9 ~ I don't have much to say about this chapter. It may be a while before I get chapter 10 out. Anyway, R&R! Disclaimer: Escaflowne, sadly, does not belong to me. Chapter Nine Escaflowne stood facing a red guymelef, the two opponents daring the other to make the first move. "So, Van, you finally decided to show yourself," Dilandau sneered. Maureyn gritted her teeth refraining herself from retorting. If this was going to work Dilandau had to think she was Van. So far, it was working. "Oh, so now you're to good to talk to me?" Dilandau scoffed. "Let's see just how good you are!" The arm of the Alseides raised, shooting out one of its liquid metal claws. Escaflowne dodged to the side, narrowly being missed, as Maureyn drew the sword. Dilandau shot the claws again, and when Maureyn dodged he took a swing. Maureyn caught the blow, throwing it off. "You're going to have to do better than that," Maureyn muttered angrily to herself. "This should be fun!" Dilandau began to cackle. Maureyn considered this to be the opportune time to get way from Fanelia and began to run. Dilandau abruptly stopped laughing. "Trying to run away are you?" he taunted. "Well, this time I'm going to get you!" he said, going into flight mode to give chase. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "What is she doing?" Hitomi exclaimed. "Van what is going on?" "She's drawing Dilandau away from Fanelia so that no one is hurt. Dilandau doesn't know it isn't me in Escaflowne," Van explained through gritted teeth. "I never should have told her about Escaflowne!" he berated himself. "You mean she's using herself as a decoy to save us?" "It would appear so," Van replied bitterly. "Van..." Hitomi said softly, clasping his hand comfortingly. "I'm not letting her get away with this," he said, his eyes filling with determination. "Come on Hitomi, we're going to follow them!" Van said evenly. Hitomi cried out in surprise as Van yanked her along towards the stables. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Maureyn made it to the countryside surrounding Fanelia before Dilandau caught up with her. The Alseides landed in front of Escaflowne as it skidded to a stop. Clouds of dust puffed up in clouds around the guymelefs, swirling in the currents made by the two machines. "Time to die Van!" Dilandau screamed, going into stealth- cloak mode. Maureyn watched in surprise as the guymelef before her disappeared. "So, you're going to play that game are you? Well, I've got news for you, it's not going to work! Van told me about your stealth cloaks," Maureyn breathed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Sight would not aid her in this battle. Maureyn reached out with her senses, probing for the invisible guymelef. "Ah-ha!" Maureyn spun around, her sword whistling thorough the air. "Clever," Dilandau mocked, easily deflecting her blow. "But not clever enough!" he cried lunging towards Maureyn. Maureyn dodged out of the way just in time. Dilandau screamed, enraged that his prey was escaping him. The two guymelefs locked swords once again, this time Dilandau apparently winning the struggle. Maureyn abruptly broke off the confrontation. Escaflowne leaped up into the air transforming into its dragon mode. Dilandau cursed Van and took flight to follow. Maureyn frantically searched her surroundings for a suitable place to make her stand. No doubt Dilandau would soon catch her. A column of fire cascaded into Escaflowne, throwing her off balance. "Thought you could get away did you Van? We'll I'm afraid that's not gonna happen!" Dilandau took aim to fire at Escaflowne again and stopped. He noticed something was strange about the pilot. Dilandau looked closer and let out an angry curse. "How can this be? That's not Van. It's some girl!" Dilandau screamed in a rage. Dilandau pulled away, ending his pursuit. She was nothing to him. He wanted only one person. Van. "You haven't won yet Van. I'll make sure you pay," Dilandau vowed as he flew away. Maureyn landed Escaflowne, gratefully climbing out of the guymelef. She had a feeling that she'd acquired the wrath of a very dangerous enemy today. She would soon discover how dangerous. It was around dusk when two riders entered the forest enclosing Escaflowne. "Maureyn?" Van called out hoping desperately that she hadn't been injured, or worse. "Over here Van," replied a quiet voice. "Maureyn?" Van asked apprehensively. "It's me," she replied, jumping down from her perch on Escaflowne. Hitomi dismounted, quickly rushing over to her friend. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine Hitomi, really." "You certainly don't sound like you're okay," Hitomi accused. "I'm fine. It's just..." Maureyn turned away from Hitomi, staring off into the forest. "The suffering has only begun," she whispered sadly to herself. Hitomi was about to speak, when Van beat her. "Maureyn, what were you thinking!?! Do you realize what could have happened to you? How could you---" "Nothing worse than what is going to happen to me," Maureyn cut in softly. "Maureyn?" Van asked, obvious concern in his voice. "What happened? Are you hurt?" "I'm fine." "Maureyn," Van sighed. "Something is obviously wrong. "Tell us what's bothering you. Maybe we can help," Hitomi said hopefully. "You can't help me. No one can." "But... why?" Hitomi said with worry. "The prophecy," Maureyn whispered. "I don't care about that flaming prophecy! I am not going to live my life cowering in fear. We shape our own destinies, not some rhyme!" Van exploded angrily. "Van," Hitomi began. "No! I've survived one war, and I'm going to do it again, and you are going to survive it with me," he finished softly. "I've already lost to many friends to war." "Van, it's not that simple. You can't just---" "No, he's right." "Maureyn..." "I've already accepted my fate, but that doesn't mean I have to go along meekly. I have a prophecy to fulfill, but I'm going to do it my way!" Maureyn said forcefully. Hitomi sighed and shook her head in defeat. "You're wrong about one thing," Van said gently. "You don't have a prophecy to fulfill. We have a prophecy to fulfill, together," he smiled. Maureyn smiled back, and Hitomi grinned at them both. "Together then?" she laughed. "Just like old times," Hitomi sighed, locking eyes with Van. "Just like old times," Van echoed. "All right you two. Enough with the mushy stuff! We've got a destiny to execute!" Maureyn said grinning mischievously. Van and Hitomi broke eye contact abruptly. Van cleared his throat nervously, and Hitomi blushed. "Um, guys?" "Yes?" responded Hitomi still blushing. "I think we have a follower," Maureyn whispered, indicating to look behind her. "Drake!" Van exclaimed, a mischievously evil grin lighting up his eyes. Maureyn groaned heavily. "Now I'm going to get it," she sighed. "Van is not going to let this opportunity pass," Maureyn griped disheartened. "Oh, it can't be that bad," Hitomi teased. "Besides, I think Drake likes you." "WHAT?!?" exclaimed Maureyn as everyone stared at her in shock. "Sorry," she mumbled before walking off to go sulk.