Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Always With You ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Folken entered his library at five in the morning, refreshed and calm, having skipped last nights entertainment. To the tall man’s surprise, Dilandau sat at the largest table in the room that stood in the centre of everything. Folken knew that all the different types of tables and their positions in the room could tell him about the person who was sitting at anyone of them. But Folken didn’t need a table to tell him that Dilandau loved to be in charge and the centre of attention.

“What brings you here Dilandau?” Folken asked casually, as he searched through his thousands of book, even though he had read all of them in his lifetime, he had books from his childhood to the very present.

“I thought that you were all knowing.”

“It’s better if you tell me, even if I do know.”

“There is something wrong with me.” Dilandau growled as he twirled his knife’s tip on the table.

“Like what?” Folken asked, still searching through the book.

“I’m becoming weaker.”

“Why do you think that?”

“There was an assassin in my room last night.” The General started.

“So I heard.”

“And I didn’t know, it was Rayana who…” Dilandau continued.

“The girl you found?” The former sorcerer asked.

“Yes, she was the one who killed him.”

“What a talent for a woman.” Folken mused.

“Trust me she isn’t an ordinary woman.” Dilandau smiled.

“I see.” Folken replied catching Dilandau’s smile, which only helped prove his theory.

“Anyway, I can’t be weak, I must always be strong.”

“Something like this doesn’t make you weak Dilandau, it only makes you stronger.”

“What are you talking about?” Dilandau’s eyes narrowed.

“There is no cure for love Dilandau.”

“LOVE!!! Are you insane! I can’t love! It isn’t possible! You and the other damn sorcerers made sure of that!” Dilandau raged knocking over the heavy table as he stood up.

“Sometimes flaws aren’t shown for the longest time.”

“I…I…” Dilandau stammered. ‘No it can’t be. I hate her, she is a stupid bitch in which I can quench my thirst with.’

“Face it Dilandau. And you came here to ask me a favour on her behalf.”

Dilandau realizing that it would be hopeless to lie. ‘I can’t be in love, I can’t feel any emotion. Ray! You are going to make me weak! I hate you! I will NOT BE WEAK!’ Dilandau continued to rave in his mind.

“Well then what is it?”

Dilandau glared at Folken for a moment. “I was going to ask you to teach her about our world…” Dilandau was going to continue but Folken quickly cut him off.

“I would be delighted to meet this woman, bring her here this afternoon if you’d like.”

“Fine, whatever.” Dilandau growled and left the room as quickly and quietly as he had come in.

~*~

Dilandau stalked through the hallways, trying to figure out what Folken had said. ‘How can this be. It can’t, I thought that my ability to feel emotion was destroyed when those bastards made their modifications.’ Dilandau thought as he continued to walk, everything was still dim as he and Folken were most likely the only ones up.

‘This is impossible…isn’t it?’ He thought of everything that had happened. A lot of it fit, a lot of it had double meanings, and some of it didn’t fit at all. ‘Folken is wrong.’ Dilandau growled.

He thought if when he had taken her against her will. He still didn’t feel guilty, so it didn’t fit.

He was planning on training her and getting her lessons. That had the sort of double meaning, he was supposed to get another female in the ranks and she fit the description of a female Dragon Slayer down to the last detail, beautiful, agile, strong, proud, refusing to give up or give in.

But the fact the Dilandau had not killed that useless guard, the fact that he got so angry in the first place, that fit perfectly. As far as the War Lord could tell, it was the only thing that fit the image he thought was love, weakness.

‘Folken is wrong, I am not in love, I am only doing as he told me, getting another female Dragon Slayer. I just happened to use this one first.’

Dilandau then remembered that she said she wasn’t going to be a Dragon Slayer until he defeated her in battle. ‘Well then that is what I am going to do.’ Dilandau found himself facing his door. He was thinking about charging in there and demanding a battle, but then thought that it would be best if he defeated her publicly.

He had been unsuspecting of her the first time, not knowing she was capable of such ideas that would never even cross his mind, it had never occurred to him that she’d be that agile and strong. But she was, and now Dilandau was ready for her. This time she wouldn’t surprise him.

He opened the door and allowed the darkness to envelope him as he stepped into the room. He instantly went to his wardrobe where he pulled out his armour. He began to get changed for practise, even though he was to go to breakfast first, with the other Generals and their soldiers, who would be practising with the Dragon Slayers.

Yes the other soldiers, they were older, more experienced, but they didn’t possess the speed, self-control, strength and agility that came with youth. Dilandau trained his Slayers so that these traits and others would continue with the boys as they grew further into their lives. The other soldiers were like his own Dragon Slayers, strong in some aspects, weak in others while the Dragon Slayers were strong all around.

While pulling on his boots, his torso still uncovered, Dilandau’s eyes swept over Ray, who still slept on her stomach on his bed, her hair, which had been braided the night before, had fallen loose, yet a top portion still remained somewhat intact. Dilandau shook his head, destroying the urge to go climb into the soft warm bed with her.

She stirred suddenly, Dilandau had been gone for a while as it was now 7. The War Lord froze with this torso armour still loose over his loose muscle shirt. Ray slowly opened her eyes, propped herself on her elbows with the blanket around her shoulders as she smiled at him.

“Good morning Dilly-boy.” She cooed.

“Get up.” Came the harsh reply. Ray’s smile fell. She held the blanket to her body as she rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed. She grumbled and got dressed with clothes from her bag. She put on her spandex work out muscle shirt which was black, as well as her matching spankies.

Dilandau having finished with his armour watched her as she pulled on a pair of baggy pants. “Don’t wear those.” He said quickly.

“And why the hell not? They’re fucking comfortable.” She replied showing that he had put her in a bad mood.

“Yes, but you are coming to morning practice right after breakfast.”

“Then what should I wear oh great Dilandau?” She growled.

“Just no those.”

“Fine.” She replied, pulling out one of her two pairs of prep pants, They were tight (of course) and flared, black with red stitching. The other pair was navy blue to go with her other work out shirt. She stood up and stretched, causing the shirt to rise up even more then usual.

Dilandau watched her as she stretched her muscles. “Are you ready?” He asked.

“Yeah sure why not.” She smiled and stood straight, her toned stomach visible. She quickly reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of red Sketchers runners. She quickly put them on, tied them and skipped to the door, over her bad mood.

Dilandau smiled and followed as the door slid open and she stepped into the hallway. She almost fell back into Dilandau as one of his Dragon Slayers rushed past her.

“HEY! Watch where you are going!” She yelled as he ran down the hallway. Suddenly another Dragon Slayer pushed past her smiling.

“GATTI! MIGUEL!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!” Dilandau Yelled causing both Slayers to freeze.

“Oh Dilly-boy, they’re just having fun. Leave them alone.” Ray smiled. “Get out of here you two! I can only hold him for so long!” Ray yelled wrapping her arms around Dilandau’s waist.

Dilandau looked down at her, she had rested her head on his shoulder, he then glanced at his Slayers and nodded to them, allowing them to race out of sight.

“Are they safe?” She smiled. Up at him.

“Yes.” He smiled back. He suddenly realized what she was doing. He pushed her away slightly roughly. Ray stumbled back, over exaggerating, hitting the opposite wall. “Come on.” He growled and began to walk down the hallway.

Ray sighed and followed by his side.

~*~

Dilandau entered the mess hall where everyone ate their meals, except on special occasions. As he walked down the centre isle the soldiers went silent in respect. Dilandau’s personal Slayers stood as their Lord approached their table, his table, which overlooked the room. There were two large tables and one smaller one that connected the two in a semi rectangle that opened facing the room. Dilandau sat in the centre of the smaller table as Ray stood beside his chair. Dilandau scanned the room, all eyes were one Ray, women were never allowed in the mess hall during breakfast and lunch, and only came halfway through dinner.

“So Dill-Boy am I allowed to sit?” She asked as she glanced at the food that sat in front of the War Lord.

“If you continue to call me that, no.”

“Then what should I call you?” She growled.

“Lord Dilandau.”

“Only when I feel like it, and you are lucky I am hungry, Lord Dilandau.” She replied.

Dilandau motioned to a young boy who stood off the side with the other servants, the boy ran off and returned seconds later with a chair for Ray.

The boy looked puzzled as to wear to put it as the table was organized in ranks. Dilandau’s highest ranking officer sat at the longer table on his right, Chesta, Miguel sat next, then Gatti. At the opposite table, closest to Dilandau sat Dalet, Guimel, and then furthest away Vione.

“Put her here, beside me.” Dilandau motioned.

The boy quickly placed it down silently to the right of Dilandau. Ray smiled at him, causing the eleven year old to blush and quickly retreated.

Ray sat down and reached over Dilandau to grab a fruit.

Doing this Dilandau glared at her.

“Oh chill out Dil…Lord Dilandau.” She said before biting into the apple.

Another servant boy came forward with a plate, cutlery and glass for Ray. He accidentally dropped a fork and went white as a sheet. He instantly knelt down, but didn’t pick it up.

Ray realized that he was scared, so she reached down and picked up the fork whipped it on her napkin. “Thanks.” She said casually, but the boy remained on the floor. She saw a large man come forward, carrying a whip.

“You stupid boy.” She man growled as he yanked the boy roughly to his feet. Ray heard the sound of the child’s arm dislocate.

“Let him go.” She said quietly. The man froze.

“What was that woman?”

“Let him go.” She repeated looking at him. She felt Dilandau move to her left.

“Why don’t you just go back to eating, silly girl.” The man laughed and began to drag the boy away.

Ray stood up, “I said, let him go.”

The man turned around and faced her once again.

‘What is wrong with her, she was so scared before, but now she is fearless. This man is twice her size and the boy worthless to her…’ Dilandau thought, as she stood strong against her enemy. Dilandau sighed and nodded to the man, who instantly dropped the boy and backed away, quickly disappearing.

Suddenly Ray rounded on Dilandau himself. “I don’t need your help Dilandau!” She said venomously. She then turned and help the boy up, bringing him to the table and seating him next to Dilandau.

Only then did Dilandau realize that the entire mess hall was silent.

The boy sat frozen next to his feared lord. But the beautiful woman gave him a reassuring smiled and piled food onto the plate in front of him.

“Eat up cutie.” She smiled. The boy quickly took a bite. Ray moved around him. “Try to ignore it, it will only hurt for a few seconds ok?” She asked, the boy nodded and took another bite. She quickly pulled the boys arm back into place causing him to grunt with discomfort.

“Ray, What are you doing?” Dilandau asked looking at the servant boy sitting beside him freeze in terror.

“Oh nothing Dilly-Boy. Let him eat, he’s so adorable, almost as cute as you are.” Ray smiled sweetly as she allowed her hand to gently touch Dilandau’s arm. She pulled it back quick enough as if she thought better of it. But Ray knew exactly what she was doing, few boys or men could resist her, and she knew it.

Dilandau stared at her, confused. ‘Does she love me?’ A slight flame of hope ignited inside of him, only to be abruptly extinguished. ‘Silly girl, we can never be together…even if I wanted to…’

“Come on Dilandau, be a good guy and let the sweet heart eat, I’ll be good all day if you do.” She looked at him with a pout on her face that she knew was irresistible. She knew what her voice sounded like, it wasn’t a whine, but an order in a hidden form, and eventually she would get her way.

Before Dilandau could answer, Korin, the other Generals, their men and their women burst into the room.

~*~

“Dilandau! And Rayana.” Korin smiled fakely as he approached the pair.

“Hello Korin.” Ray picked up a piece of food off of the servant boys plate.

Korin ignored her, “Just when I thought that you couldn’t sink any lower Dilandau, but here you are, eating with the servants.”

Ray glanced down at Dilandau and saw his anger clear as glass. She felt guilty for making him look like someone lower, when really he was better. “So Korin are you going to practice with the Dragon Slayers?” She asked glancing at him.

“Yes. Too bad you won’t be there to see my men dominate.” Korin growled.

“Actually she will be there.” Dilandau cut in.

“Really?” Korin asked glaring from Ray to Dilandau.

“Yes.” Dilandau replied.

“Well then maybe we’ll bring our women, to keep her company.” Korin smiled. He then lead the group to a table which quickly emptied.

“Well come on boys, I don’t want them to get there first and take over.” Dilandau growled and stood up. Ray and the Slayers exited after him.