GAIA: Tales After The War of Destiny 
A Vision of Escaflowne Fanfiction

by Derry   [email protected] (Email the author!)
 
Disclaimer: Characters that you don't recognize are my creation but the
rest are owned by Sunrise, TV Tokyo and the creator of The Vision of
Escaflowne.
 

This chapter is dedicated to Gutsy--who always makes my day. 
Kami-sama, Esukafuroune to Kawamori Shouji no tame ni arigatou
gozaimashita! 
To the readers: otanoshimi ni! Phrases in between square brackets like
this [ ] are expressed as thoughts. Flashbacks are in between these
brackets << >>.

**********

Encountering the Past

Careia stood to one side of the hall that led to the open balcony. Because
the balcony did not have a roof, a large blue-and-gold canopy was set up
to shield the King and Queen from the glares of the sun. Outside stood a
large number of people, awaiting their Royal Majesties to appear. From
her point of view, the people below were restless filling the air with
happiness and anticipation. Asturia knew that their king was about to
announce something vital to its future and they were impatient.

A commotion on the other end of the hallway made Careia turn.
Dryden-ou and Millerna-ojou* were walking towards the balcony, their
manner regal but relaxed. Dryden was smiling slightly, obviously
knowing something everybody didn't. He was dressed more formally
than usual, his wavy brown hair let down for today. Careia had to admit
that the king was a good-looking man; his intelligence was the only thing
that surpassed his looks. 

Careia turned to Millerna-ojou and gave a small gasp. It wasn't everyday
that one would look upon a fellow woman and see such beauty. Millerna
had her hair up, partially covered by a white silk cloth, her face radiant
with her smile. Small tufts of her light blond hair peeked out of the cloth,
her eyes bright with excitement. Her dress was laced almost everywhere
with simple yet elegant embroidery, which complimented the Queen's
slim figure. Careia felt a prick of jealousy in her chest that she never
knew she would experience again since her early adolescent years.

The couple stopped when they reached Careia, just before coming into
view of the people. Millerna, who was nearer the knight-to-be, laid a
hand on her arm in reassurance. "Are you and your men ready, Cerin?"

Careia nodded at the sound of her name. "Yes, ojousama. Ousama."

Together with the new mission, Careia was put in charge of a company,
composed of other knights-to-be. It had been Lord Balthos' idea and
despite Careia's protests, Millerna-ojou agreed with the Knight
Commander.

<>

Dryden grinned. "Nervous, are you?"

Careia shook her head and returned a small smile. "No, ousama. I am just
wondering what would happen if I fail, sire."

"What a cynical statement from one so young!" Dryden chuckled. His
eyes turned serious but his smile never left his lips. "I have to admit
however, that I am not surprised. The war had changed us all."

Careia stared at the king silently. She wasn't sure if she heard right.
Although the king delivered his statement lightly, she heard the grimness
behind it that was uncharacteristic of him. 

Millerna interrupted. "Have you ever met the King of Fanelia, Cerin?"

"No, ojousama."

Millerna smiled in response and looked behind her. Careia followed the
direction of her eyes.

The King of Fanelia was not a very tall man, and he was young--almost
as old as Careia was. Yet despite his obvious youth, his dark amber eyes
held a seriousness in them that was a trait in all types of kings--except
maybe Asturia's. His demeanor was one of who was wary of things
around him--[and no wonder when his life is being sought] thought
Careia. However, he was not overtly rigid to his surroundings either. In
fact, he seemed one with everything: the earth, the wind, the sky--just by
standing there. He wore a sword on his hip, the only embellishment she
could see that he had on. The way he carried the weapon showed that he
was comfortable--and most likely, very skillful with it. King Van Slanzar
of Fanelia was smiling, talking to a younger cat-woman beside him--[The
one they call Merle] Careia observed--when he felt their gaze on him. He
looked at Millerna and Dryden with a wider smile and nodded them on.
The Queen nodded back with a smile.

"Enough time for talk later," sighed Millerna. She turned to the man
beside her. "Well, let's get this done, Dryden."

"We can't keep the people waiting," he replied, his voice ironic. He
looked at Careia. "Follow us after, Cerin."

"Yes, sire." She bowed her head.

When the couple reached the balcony, a deafening roar replaced the
murmuring silence. Careia, seeing this same scene in another time,
another place, looked at the King of Fanelia again. She knew quite a
number of things about the young king that he probably had no idea she
knew. She was very familiar in detail with his history, his abilities, and
even his relationship with the girl Hitomi from the Mystic Moon. Careia
shifted her eyes to the adolescent cat-woman beside him, who watched
the Royal Majesties as they waved to the people of Asturia. Careia
absently noted that Dryden had begun to speak. She was about to look
away when another pair came beside the Fanelian King. 

[Allen Schezar...] thought Careia as the two blond siblings greeted Van
Fanel. The man, who had long blond hair, shook the king's hand
customarily-- [Obviously, they have already seen each other before this]
Careia observed. He was quite taller than Careia by several inches, his
manners excellent and his voice quiet. He wore the garments that
distinguished him from the others as a Heavenly Knight. He smiled at his
former companion and said something that Careia couldn't catch. At his
smile, Careia knew why women she met anywhere in Asturia pined for
the blond hero. 

[A playboy, they say] she noted, caustically. [Why am I even
wondering?] She turned to the female Schezar.... 

....and went cold.

"Dilandau..." she breathed in astonishment. [I know it's him but then...]
Careia knew even before yesterday at the meeting, that Serena Schezar
was the formerly psychotic murderer Dilandau. Yet seeing him--or her
was a totally different feeling. It was quite something to see a former
comrade, and an infamous one at that--in another gender too. Careia felt
her heart stop in alarm as she realized something that she should have
thought of before she accepted her current mission. 

[Will she... will she recognize me??]

At that moment, Serena Schezar turned to look at the hall around her.
Her blue eyes crossed that of Careia's, moved on, and then jerked back. A
flash of recognition seemed to overcome the young light-haired woman.
Her hand slightly raised to her face, as if trying to remember. She took a
hesitating step toward Careia. 

Careia cut Serena's stare by looking away and surreptitiously retreating to
the darker part of the hall.

"Serena, what's wrong?" Careia heard Allen ask his sister in concern.
Careia noticed in surprise that the crowd outside had turned silent while
she had been busy studying the former companions. Careia turned,
curious, to the Royal Couple.

With a hand raised, Dryden's voice broke the silence and said, "People of
Asturia! It has been many years now since the birth of our country and
since then, Asturia has prospered and grown into one of the more
powerful countries in Gaia. Our city, Pallas, has become the center of
trade and this would not be without the people of Asturia that have made
it great!"

The crowd went wild at the statement, their shouts flooding the air. The
people called out Dryden's name; their loyalty to the Fassas was
(figuratively) sealed in concrete. The people of Asturia loved their King
and Queen deeply, and showed it to them in their enthusiastic support,
throwing ribbons and confetti into the air, the sun flashing against the
falling rain of paper.

Careia turned her attention somewhere else, knowing that her job was for
the safety of the female Schezar, and her companions too, if needed. She
watched keenly at the people in the hallway: the Fanelian King, the
cat-woman, Allen and Serena Schezar, even Dryden's faithful assistant,
the mouse-man. All guards and Heavenly Knights present were tense in
anticipation for a sudden attack, their eyes alert for anything. Those that
were outside with Dryden and Millerna were posted at strategic places to
ensure their safety. The Knight Commander was nearby the King and
Queen, his body posed in such a way as to block any arrows from the
side. The older knight saw Careia glance at him. He nodded back
perfunctorily and pointed inconspicuously at their blue-blooded charges.
Careia nodded in understanding.

Once again, Dryden waved the crowd silent. As soon as the voices
hushed down, he paused for dramatic effect and continued. [He has the
people's undivided attention in the palm of his hand!] Careia thought in
admiration. 

"Half a decade ago, the Zaibach Empire had tried to conquer all of Gaia
through war, aggression and eventually bloodshed. However, Asturia did
not fall. Instead, she weathered throughout the war with a determination
to live, and to be free from an old man's beliefs of greatness; freedom
from becoming an Atlantis that had fallen. Only its cursed memory has
lived through the passage of time." He turned to Millerna who smiled
back.

It was her turn to speak. "Asturia is not meant to fall so easily from such
forces. Its people are strong in heart and body. Asturia shall live for more
than a hundred years to come!" Her words were greeted once again by
more fervent cheering. 

Millerna laid both her hands on the railing, swept by the emotion. "And
today, we shall celebrate the rebirth of a country, one that has prospered
through the help of its people. Asturia shall be the hand that shall move
all the economies of Gaia! And," she paused, raising a finger to make a
point, her smile widening mischievously, "In memory of this day, let me
announce that the people have been granted a wish they have been
waiting for a very long time."

"Asturia shall finally have an heir, Millerna-ojou?" shouted an
anonymous voice. The huge crowd echoed the question with hope.

The sudden interruption in the speech (albeit an innocent question) made
Careia snap her head to the balcony. She quickly walked nearer the
balcony door, her hand on the hilt of her sheathed sword, scanning her
eyes among the thousands gathered below. She signaled some of her men
positioned to move towards the door, leaving a few to surreptitiously
watch over Serena and the others. At the corner of her eye, she saw
another figure come to the other side of the balcony door. It was Allen
Schezar, his hand similarly holding the hilt of his sword at his hip.

"See anything?" the blond knight hissed to Careia.

She didn't have time to be surprised. Her eyes continued to sweep the
crowd and the walls that surrounded the large gathering. "No. None yet."

"You think they'll attempt now?" Allen asked back quietly. He glanced at
her then resumed his search.

"Allen." Van Fanel stood nearby, tensed as well. Merle was not far
behind the king; Serena had gone near her brother, her face concerned.
"What's happening, oniisama?"

Careia stopped the Fanelian King with a hand when he came near. "Sire,
it is better that you stay away from the balcony doors. When Van didn't
budge, she softened her voice and said, "Please, sire." After a while, the
young king nodded but Careia saw he was reluctant.

The Queen, after a short silence, smiled widely and shouted, "Yes!
Asturia is about to have an heir!"

Careia thought that the crowd had cheered its loudest the last time. She
was wrong. The crowd went wild at the statement, their joy deafening her
ears. Despite the uneasiness Careia felt however, she couldn't help but
feel surprised and pleased at the news. [So that's why it's so complicated
now. Millerna-ojou is pregnant, meaning, if she is harmed, Asturia
cannot help but act against her assassins--which might lead to a bloody
conflict] Careia quickly concluded, as a strong gust of wind swept her
short hair to her face.


Suddenly, one of the ropes that held one of the edges of the tall canopy
snapped upwards, sending the makeshift roof flying with the wind
crazily. A flash of steel at the end of the rope-the hook that held the
canopy in place-whizzed towards the couple with surprising speed and
strength. The blue-and-gold cloth whipped up sharply. Careia opened her
mouth to shout as she saw the direction of the hook. Just at that moment,
she heard Allen shout, "Millerna-ojou!!!" just as Van Fanel darted
outside. Careia absently heard a female voice cry, "Van-sama!!"

The crowd exclaimed in fear. Millerna, her face surprised from the turn
of events, turned at the sound of Allen's voice, as he rushed towards her.
Careia saw the Queen stare at the flying canopy in shock, seeing the hook
come towards her. A tall bulky figure rushed before the Queen to shield
her as the hook struck. Dryden, who stood beside his wife, grabbed her
from behind and pulled her down with him to the floor. The Heavenly
Knights nearest the couple surrounded them while the guards around
tried to control the canopy, as the tall figure fell to his knees. On impulse,
Careia, seeing Serena and Merle dangerously close to the open doors,
opened her arms and used her body as a shield for both women. The
people below were beginning to grow restless with worry, seeing that
their Queen was nearly killed, shortly after she made her joyful
statement.

A voice behind Careia said, "What happened?"

Careia turned to the two women behind her. "Don't worry. Everything's
fine now."

" 'Everything's fine now'?!" exclaimed the cat-woman. "That's not what
we're asking, idiot!" 

Careia opened her mouth to answer but stopped as she heard the King
speak again to the murmuring crowd. Their worry would turn any minute
into panic. She saw that the King understood the situation and slowly
stood up to stop that from occurring, still keeping an arm around his wife
protectively. At the sight of them, the crowd cheered, and stomped their
feet in relief when they saw that Millerna was safe. 

"People of Asturia!" began Dryden, dropping his usually relaxed
demeanor. "Let's not make this accident dampened our festivities!
Accidents happen and this one has harmed no one." Dryden stood up
straighter. "As King of Asturia, I demand the festivities to begin!"

With that the crowd roared in joy, their worry momentarily forgotten.

Yet the people who were in or near the balcony could not forget as eased.
Not all of them had been lucky. 

"Lord Balthos!" exclaimed Dryden's mouse-man.

Everyone in the balcony turned to look at the Knight Commander who
was still on his knees, his hand to his side. He had not moved since he
fell, and his face was staring blankly into thin air. 

Careia felt the blood drain from her face, and ran to the old man. She
went on her knees before him and caught him as he fell forward. As she
made her commander lean against the railing of the balcony, what she
saw made her catch her breath. "No..." she murmured, as she quickly
removed her short, light blue tunic and quickly pressed it to his bleeding
side. "Gordon!" Careia called one of her men, as she tried to stamp the
flow of blood. "Go get Dr. Tanurih! Hurry!" before she finished her
sentence, the man had already left.

Millerna-ojou reached out to Lord Balthos, "I can help you.... I've had
medical training..."

Dryden spoke before she could move. "Not this time. Don't worry about
Balthos-Careia has called for a doctor. If you attempt to even do more,
you won't be able to do much good." He smiled but firmly held her.
"Don't worry, Millerna."

Get their Majesties away from here. Tell the Deputy Commander to look
for the man who fixed the canopy. Also, tell him to follow the man who
shouted to Millerna-ojou earlier."

Finally, Careia turned her full attention to the bleeding man. "Now, sir.
Can you hear me?" When she received no response, she began to worry.
He needed medical attention but first aid was all she could do. [It may be
his only hope at the moment] she thought.

Van Fanel appeared at her side suddenly and said, "What do you need?"

Forgetting who he was, Careia demanded, "I need you to talk to Lord
Balthos while I try to staunch this wound." For a brief moment, she
wondered if she even had a right to demand to the king of Fanelia in such
a manner.

She need not have worried. He nodded and quickly kneeled next to the
man. He held Balthos' hand and said, "How are you feeling?"

Balthos could only make a pained smile. Van Fanel turned once more to
the knight-to-be. "Do you know what you are doing?"

It wasn't an insult. "Yes. When I was young, I used to be a healer. I know
a serious wound when I see one."

Behind her, she heard Serena ask, "Is he okay?"

"When a doctor comes, he will be," replied Careia. "Please tell
Dryden-ou that Lord Balthos will be fine but would be out of duty for a
while." [It would be best that Serena be with them. It might be safer.]


The knight-to-be glanced at Serena as she told the king her message. He
nodded and walked his wife from the balcony. Merle and the Queen's
ladies- in- waiting, escorting the Queen back to her rooms met them.
Allen Schezar came beside Millerna, his face worried. He asked,
"Millerna-ojou, are you okay?" 

Millerna smiled weakly at her old companions. "Don't worry about me
Allen. I'm fine. Just surprised, that's all." She then turned to Careia, her
face slightly pale, yet her eyes bright. "I know what you're thinking,
Cerin." 

Dryden had not let go of his wife. He said grimly to Careia and Allen,
"We'll talk about this in the Dining Hall like before." He turned to gaze at
his wife for a moment. 

Millerna replied to his silent worry with a smile. "Don't worry, Dryden.
I'll be fine." With that she gave him a chaste kiss and left with the
women.

Serena asked her brother, "May I go with her?" 

Allen turned reassuringly to his sister. "Sure. Take Merle with you."

Serena smiled gratefully and said to the cat-woman, "Coming?"

Merle grabbed the young woman's hand and said, "Well, if you want to
go, we better go now!" Serena gave a last glimpse to Careia as she was
dragged off by Merle to catch up with the Queen. Careia caught one of
her subordinate's eyes and he nodded back. He quickly followed them.

When they were out of sight, Dryden turned to his assistant. "Make sure
that the doctor gets here right away. After that, call for the men that
supposedly arranged the canopy today."

"Yes, Dryden-sama!" he cried out frantically and began to rush off with a
flurry. 

Careia interrupted the mouse-man. "No need. I already told the others." 

The King went over to Lord Balthos, who had snapped out of his shock
momentarily. He gripped the man's arm gently with gratitude. "Thank
you," he said simply. The man didn't speak but nodded instead.

When the doctor arrived, Dryden turned to Allen, Van and Careia. "Let's
go." 

* * * * *

The dirty man, who stood several feet away from the table, crushed his
cap in his hands nervously. "Ousama! I tell you truth! Me sure those
hooks were placed right and true! Me no lie!" His eyes darted from the
men on the circular table to the guards that stood near him.

Dryden kept his face stern. Inside however, he pitied the man. The man
was so scared he actually saw the man's knees tremble. "Who else was
with you?"

"Just me son, nephew and their friend, ousama," the man replied, his eyes
ready to cry.

"Friend?" prompted Allen, who sat to Dryden's left. The blond man
leaned his elbows forward. "Has he been with you for a long time?" 

"N--n--no, my lord! He came with us first time today but me know him
as me son's friend for months now," he answered feebly. He seemed
ready to pee in his pants.

"How many months, old man?" Cerin interrupted gently, who was sitting
next to Van. Cerin stood up slowly so as not to alarm the trembling
worker. The bishounen** stopped three feet away from the man and
asked quietly, "What's your name? It's hard to call one 'old man' all the
time." The others looked in surprise at Cerin.

The man twisted his wrinkled cap in fear but stopped trembling. "Wa-
waghur, m-my lord." Dryden felt sick to his stomach in pity. 

"Waghur. Tell me, Waghur, do you know the friend of your son who
came with you?" he asked in a calm, slow voice.

"Yes," Waghur replied, his eyes never leaving Cerin's friendly face. "He
be with me son for almost three moons now."

"Ah. Do you know him very well, Waghur?" Cerin asked, stepping
towards the man while he spoke in a way that Waghur did not notice.
Dryden narrowed his eyes in curiosity. Cerin's style of cross-examination
was unusual, and not usually seen--most likely because the interrogators
didn't really care what their captives thought anyway. Dryden admitted
that although he had not seen very many interrogations in his life, he
knew that Cerin's tactic was very useful in this situation.

"No, my lord. He jus' show up sometimes to help me and me son and
nephew." 

Dryden watched the exchange with growing interest. [Hmmm... Where
did Cerin learn to do this?] he wondered with a cunning smile which he
concealed behind a crooked finger as his elbow leaned against the
armrest.

"Ah. Did he tell you why he was with you today?" continued Cerin.

"He jus' said that he had nothing to do today and that he wanted to help
us."

"Nothing to do? Does he not have a family? Surely he could have had
something to do there, right?" Cerin pressed.

"I don't know, sir."

"How old is he, Waghur?"

"18 years... sir. As old as me son."

"Then he should have a job then. But as you say, he works for you on and
off. During these times, were your jobs in the palace?"

"Yes,sir."

"And during those jobs, did he always show up saying he had 'nothing to
do'?"

Waghur paled and couldn't respond.

"Don't you think it's strange for him to say that? Everyone in the city is
practically moving and doing something everywhere now because of the
festivities. Didn't you find that odd at all?" 

Waghur opened his mouth but stopped. "I...I... no, my lord. But me
should've. Right?" 

"Do you think so?" Cerin prompted.

"Yeh. Is should've thinked it, my lord, from the start."

Van leaned toward Dryden. He whispered, "Where did you find this one,
Dryden? He's very good."

Dryden continued to study the young knight-to-be. "He came here to
Asturia almost two years ago. If he proves his valor, he will be knighted
in the ranks of the Heavenly Knight."

Van's eyes widened. "Already?"

Allen looked at the former merchant with a frown. "Dryden-ou, do you
know anything about him before he came here?" he murmured.

Dryden glanced at Allen with a small smile. "Are you worried that this
young man might take your sister from you someday, Allen? Admit it:
your sister is old enough now to marry." 

Allen gave his king an ill-concealed look. The King of Asturia smiled
wider knowing that always irritated Allen.

Dryden chuckled. "No, I do not know anything about his past except that
before he came to Asturia, he had been living for three years in the island
of Genpoli." 

"Genpoli!" Van hissed in surprise. "Isn't that thousands of miles from
here?" 

Dryden gave him a wry look. "Actually, that's several hundred miles
southeast from Zaibach and another several hundred miles northwest
from the Mystic Valley."

The blond knight stared at him. "Why do I have a feeling that there's
more to it why Cerin's here?" Allen asked in a low voice.

Dryden gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, you may be right."
He didn't explain. 

They all turned to look at Cerin who said, "Okay then. Thank you very
much, Waghur. You've been a lot of help. Let's not tell this to anybody,
okay? It'll just upset them."

Waghur, who had been a man scared out of his wits before, was nodding
vigorously at the pretty young man. "I promise, my lord! Me zip me
mouth." He ran two fingers across his mouth as if to zip it.

Cerin turned to Dryden with a questioning look. He nodded in
affirmation.

"Okay, Waghur. That's it. You can go now."

"Thank you! Thank you!" the dirty man cried over and over as the guards
led him outside. The door clicked shut behind them.

"Cerin?" Dryden asked the young knight-to-be. Cerin's display of
interrogation skills proved that the young man had brains behind his
pretty face. Dryden was curious as to how the young man thought: his
manners were polite and relatively formal but there seemed to be a secret
in the young man's past that he was reluctant to disclose--but which
Dryden was suspicious of nonetheless. At one time, Lord Balthos had
commented to him about the young man being the smallest among all the
men in the chapter house; however his skills surpassed the biggest of all
of them. In their meeting yesterday, Cerin's comments had piqued his
curiosity. He knew the game of tactics and strategy well, his words
careful like that of a diplomat's slippery tongue. He had also deduced
Dryden's plan easily, unlike the men Dryden had to call his "advisers".
What's more, the man new how to use a sword skillfully but how well
was another thing to a long list Dryden was curious to know.

Cerin crinkled his dark thin brows in thought as he moved to sit down.
"It was no coincidence, ousama. Whoever the man that was with them
earlier would have escaped by now. However, there had been no one else
with them at the time they had set up the canopy, and besides there were
guards everywhere. There had been no evidence of any weapon of any
kind that might have unlatched the hook, and that could only mean that
the hook had been sabotaged."

"And because of that, Millerna almost got hurt--at the least--and now,
Lord Balthos is seriously wounded," concluded Allen matter-of-factly.
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "I have to agree with
Argas, ousama." He smiled humorlessly at Dryden. "Your plan obviously
worked too well."

"Actually, the information about your arrival was only confined to a few
people: Millerna, Lord Balthos, Gades, of course, and Cerin," Dryden
informed them. "This was obviously planned even before any other
people knew that you were coming." 

"Who else knew about Millerna being with child?" asked Van, his face
grim. "She might have been the target today because she was nearest to
the sabotaged hook. Not us."

"Are you sure it wasn't any one of us either? They could have sabotaged
that canopy so as to get one of us who happened to be near it," Allen
commented. "But true, that is unlikely. Yet still, it is a possibility." 

Dryden shook his head not knowing that his eyes betrayed for a moment
his fear for Millerna's safety. Before he met his wife, Dryden had never
really cared for anyone. [But things change] he thought wistfully. "Only
me. She only told me. And I never told anyone."

The Asturian King saw Allen and Van glance at each other. The question
on their faces was apparent: how did the enemy know the Queen was
pregnant?

"Dryden-ou," Cerin began, breaking the silence.

"Yes?" Dryden answered, snapping out of his uncharacteristic silence.

"If I may ask, does your wife have morning sickness? Does she vomit in
the morning when she wakes up?" Cerin asked.

Van's face was blank. "Huh? What does that have to do with it?"

Allen began to laugh ironically. "This is too unbelievable!"

Dryden was speechless for a moment. "Of course! How stupid of me!
The first time she vomited, we thought she was sick and had sent for a
doctor. The man said that the vomiting might be because she lacked
sleep and rest. However, Millerna is not ignorant when it comes to
medicine. She might have guessed after several days of vomiting that she
was pregnant. Aaargh!" He grabbed his hair in frustration. "Why didn't I
use my head?!"

"So someone might have noticed and told it to someone and that
someone told it to her father then the father to his co-worker, then the
co-worker to his wife... The list can go on forever!" exclaimed Allen in
frustration. "That's probably how, whoever that man was, was able to
guess what Millerna had meant earlier this morning. Damn!"

"Well, now we know that Millerna might have been the target and that it
might have been because she was pregnant," Van concluded. "Very
simple, and without even having to penetrate the palace, and still they
still know what the hell goes on here." 

The door suddenly opened to admit Serena, Merle and Millerna. 

The cat-woman's eyes brightened at the sight of Van. "Van-sama!" She
quickly moved herself between Cerin and Van who were sitting next to
each other. Serena fell in on her brother's left side and Cerin's right. 

"Millerna! What are you doing here?" Dryden exclaimed. However, he
wasn't really surprised. He had known since they had renewed their vows
that Millerna was a hard woman to tie down--her experience of running
Asturia with her sister beside her helped. An attempt on her life was not
one to stop her.

Van stood up and moved one seat down as Millerna sat next to her
husband. "I knew that if I didn't show myself to you men, you'll keep
worrying about me and the incident today. We can't afford to dwell on
that. Soon, they'll start to get bolder and we have to make sure that we
still have our side of the chessboard." She arranged her skirts and added,
"I also checked on Lord Balthos before I came here."

"How is he, ojousama?" Cerin asked, his concern evident in his voice.

Millerna gave the young man a small but sad smile. "He is okay but he
can't move much now. If he resumes his duties right away, he'll never
heal. That's another reason why I am here." She turned to Allen and said,
"You have to take his place for now, Allen. I know you would rather stay
and protect Serena but this time, there is no choice. We trust you utterly
and we know you are fit for the job while Lord Balthos is healing."

Allen's face turned expressionless. "Millerna-ojou, I appreciate your
confidence in my capabilities--"

"Allen, what else do you want us to say to convince you to accept the
job?" Dryden interrupted in a gambling tone. However, his face turned
serious. "We are not pressing you but if I have to, I'll command you to
take the damn position. There is no one else qualified and the other
kngihts are at their respective posts. The other Heavenly Knights under
Balthos' command would appreciate your leadership. Besides, Kashten
Samner, who is second in command, is busy enough with the rest.
Millerna wants you on the position. Also, as Queen's Champion, this is
also primarily your job." 

Dryden watched Allen as the man tried to get a grip of his anger. He
returned stare for stare, determined to make sure that the blond hero
would agree. It was true what he said: he was ready to command Allen
even if it meant straining their friendship. 

"And my sister?" Allen gritted. 

Millerna was opened her mouth to speak but Serena beat her to it.
"Oniisama, don't worry about me," she cut in quietly. 

Allen regarded his sister's calm smile with surprise. "But, Serena, I don't
think you can...?"

Serena smiled wider, her face calm and peaceful--exactly the opposite of
her fomer--and darker--alter ego. Dryden couldn't help but feel amazed at
how much the girl had grown and become what she was today. [What did
Allen do?] he wondered.

"Oniisama, Millerna-sama has told me what she planned for me. I won't
be alone." She suddenly turned to Cerin who had been sitting quietly next
to her, watching the exchange with a strange look on his face. "Cerin
Argas will be there with me to protect me."

Dryden saw Allen eye the young man skeptically. "No offence, Cerin, but
aren't you a little new to the sword?"

The young man replied simply, "No, I am not. I have held a sword as
long as the King of Fanelia has."

Allen's face remained dubious. Van raised an eyebrow as Millerna
abruptly stepped in.

"Allen, I trust Cerin with my life."

Dryden saw everyone's faces snap to the Queen in surprise, including
Cerin. Yet the scholar felt surprised himself. He knew Millerna was fond
of the youth but... [To trust him that much...?]

Cerin murmured, "Millerna-ojou... I..."

"Allen, if you don't trust Cerin, then trust me instead," she continued.
"Your presence is much needed elsewhere and I know that Cerin will
make sure that nothing harmful will come to Serena."

The blond knight was silent as tension filled the air. It was a while before
Allen Schezar answered, and when he did, it was not to Millerna but to
Cerin that he addressed his simple statement.

"If Gades were here, I would not hesitate to hand her over to him--or
even you, Van. Although I have no doubts that you will protect my sister
well, Van, I see that it will be hard for you to protect yourself, Merle and
Serena at the same time." He paused. "Well, Cerin? Why should I trust
you?"

Cerin said, his voice eerily quiet, "What do you want me to do for you to
believe that I will make sure that no harm will come to your sister?"

Dryden watched Serena glance at Allen and Cerin back and forth. She
was obviously worried but Serena remained silent. "Oniisama... stop..."
she whispered so low, her confusion evident; Her blue eyes were
windows to thoughts that flew away like petals in the wind. Dryden knew
that he was the only one to see the words she mouthed.

"Swear it. By your sword and your life, as I would have done," Allen
replied.

Cerin returned his stare. "No."

"What?" Millerna exclaimed. "But--"

"Nani???" Merle couldn't help but cry.

Cerin cut the Queen off. "No, I will not swear to you, Allen Schezar...
but to your sister." With that the young man pushed back his chair and
stood. With a resounding ring of his sword, Cerin drew the weapon out.
He half-kneeled before Serena, whose face did not look surprised at all
but instead held a curious look. Cerin gripped the hilt tightly in his grip
as the other hand balanced the other end carefully, and said, "I swear by
this sword, my life and by all who are here that nothing shall harm
Serena Schezar from this day forth."

One of Cerin's hands suddenly gripped tightly the blade where it met the
hilt... and slid across the shining steel, leaving a trail of blood.

Dryden heard everyone except Serena and Cerin gasp. For a moment, he
thought he glimpsed something about the two and the way Cerin vowed
his life for Serena that struck him as an event that happened before.
Serena's face was not surprised at all but instead she looked, of all things,
curious! Cerin, on the other hand, had his face bent in subservience, his
black eyes shadowed from Dryden's point of view. There was something
about the moment that seemed as if it had happened in another time,
another place.

Dryden watched as Serena slowly bent to take the sword being offered
before her. With both hands, she carefully took the sword, and twisted it
and offered the hilt to Cerin again. "I accept."

Cerin looked up, his face expressionless, yet his eyes seemed to see
something else. He took the hilt and said, "Thank you," and stood to
return to his seat.

After a long silence, Allen murmured, his face surprised at the result of
his demand, "I... am... satisfied."

Millerna flew to the young man. "What kind of vow was that to wound
yourself so?" She grabbed a handkerchief from her pocket and began to
staunch the cut furiously. "What kind was it? From where did you learn
such a bloody vow?!"

Cerin's eyes were still far away but his response made the room fall
silent.

"From Atlantis."

**********

Author's notes: japanese terms

*~ou/~ojou

These means King and Queen respectively. These suffixes are used when
one is calling someone by their names respectfully. Another way of
calling such people are "ousama" and "ojousama". Van-ou (although we
don't really hear this a lot in the series--or I was probably too absorbed to
notice) is actually applicable.

**bishounen

This is a "compound word" (note the quotations) which means "good
looking young man" (~shounen: young boy). An example is Dilandau
who is considered a bishounen.

Source: Random House Japanese-English Dictionary

*********

End of Encountering the Past