Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Ashes and Remembrance ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

SIX

"Lord Folken . . .?" The knock came again, "Lord Folken?"

"Just a moment," Folken called out as he pulled on his robe and passed through his bedroom door into the front room. Now what? I'm not late am I? He glanced at the window, but the heavy drapes were still drawn closed. Looking at the clock on the table as he went to the door, he saw the time. Gods, is it really that early? What the hell is going on? He quickly ran his fingers through his hair before unbolting the lock and opening the door. "Yes - what is it?"

"Lord Folken? Sir, Emperor Dornkirk as requested to see you - immediately." The young guard snapped to attention as he spoke.

"What? The emperor wants to see me - now?"

"Yes sir. I'm to escort you as soon as you're dressed."

"I-I'll be just a few minutes; please come in."

"No sir, that's alright. I'll wait here in the hall." The man turned and positioned himself next to Folken's door.

Folken closed the door and stood for a few moments, his hand still on the knob. What's going on? Why would he want to see me now? He shook his head and sighed in frustration. Going to the wardrobe against the wall, he opened the door and took out clean clothing. He quickly splashed some cold water on his face and then dressed. He's never asked to see me like this - or this early. Folken's stomach began to feel queasy. Running a brush quickly through his hair, he took a quick survey of his appearance in the small wall mirror.

As he opened the door, the guard turned towards him. "All ready sir?"

"Yes . . . well, let's go. It wouldn't do well to keep the emperor waiting." Folken saw the young man blanch at his words. It feels like my stomach is doing somersaults. The guard started off at a very brisk pace and Folken found himself hurrying to catch up.

The hallways of the sorcerer's tower were just about deserted. The two men encountered only a few of the dog-men servants as they made their way towards the heart of the tower. The servants barely gave them a glance as they passed by them. Folken had at first found comfort in the appearance of the servants, for they had reminded him of the wolf-men that lived in Fanelia. But unlike the wolf-men, the servants of the tower did not enjoy the same level of equality and friendship that Ruhm and his pack did in Folken's homeland. Here, the dog-men were treated as the lowliest of servants and Folken had even seen a few instances of physical violence against them. He had tried to treat them kindly, but they always seemed to be afraid of him. At first he thought that it was because of his arm; but he soon realized it was because they were afraid of all the sorcerers, not just him in particular.

Folken and the guard soon reached the stairs that led up to the emperor's throne room. There, the man stopped and motioned for the young apprentice to continue on. "You are to go right up sir."

Folken nodded his head and started up the short flight of stairs. Why does it feel like I'm walking to the gallows? He felt the knot in his stomach grow tighter. When he reached the top of the stairs, he paused for a minute before walking to the massive set of double doors at the end of the short hallway. He could see the guards posted down the hall and on either side of the entrance doors. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he started down the hall.

When he reached the doors, one of the guards barred his way with a wicked-looking pike. "Stop!" the man ordered. "Who are you?"

Folken straightened his back and spoke in a cool voice, "Lord Folken Lacour - the emperor has summoned me."

The guard looked at him and then moved aside. "His majesty is expecting you. You may enter." The man pulled open one of the bronze-colored doors and motioned for Folken to enter. The door closed with a hollow thud behind him.

As usual, there was very little light inside the chamber. The room had a cavern-like feel to it and the lack of light only made it worse. There was no furniture -- at least not that Folken had ever been able to see. The only things visible in the chamber were a few small torches scattered along the walls that did nothing to actually give any light. All they seemed to do was lengthen the shadows and make the darkness even more disorienting. Folken still speculated at what or who might be lurking in those shadows. Perhaps the emperor himself . . . Taking another deep breath, he stopped and waited.

Folken wasn't sure how long he stood there waiting. Has it been a few minutes - an hour? Gods, how I hate this dark emptiness. He could feel his legs start to grow tired and his mechanical arm began to feel heavy; but he willed himself to stay motionless. Why is he making wait like this? Suddenly, there was a shift in the darkness and the knot in Folken's stomach returned.

"Folken." The voice was deep and resonated throughout the chamber.

Folken quickly dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "Y-Your majesty," he stammered. Allowing his eyes to glance slightly up, he found Dornkirk's face before him. He could feel the emperor's eyes as they studied him and it felt as if they were looking right into his soul; and it took all of Folken's strength not to shiver under that dark, penetrating gaze. He could feel the sweat on his back as he held himself motionless, hardly daring to even breathe.

Slowly, Dornkirk's face retreated back into the room a few feet away. "You may rise."

Folken relaxed his muscles and tried not to grimace as he regained his feet. "Your majesty," he said with a slightly steadier voice.

"Folken, the time has come for you to take your place at my side. Starting today, you will begin a new life - you will begin working towards a new destiny, and you must be prepared for what is to come." Folken remained motionless, almost hypnotized by the sound of the emperor's voice. "Today you will leave the past behind and begin living for the future - a future that will change the fate of Gaea for all eternity."

Folken could feel the intensity of Dornkirk's gaze on him as he continued. "Together you and I will unravel the secrets of the legendary power of Atlantis - that great power that is your birthright. Then, together, we will use that power to bring peace and prosperity to our world. Starting today, you will become my apprentice . . . you will become an extension of myself. You will serve me and serve in my stead. Today you will lay Folken Lacour de Fanel to rest."

Folken struggled to speak, "Y-Your majesty . . ."

Dornkirk continued on, as if he had not heard the young man at all. "Listen to what I have said and what I will say. Learn well all that I have to teach you. You are the one, Folken - you have been chosen." The young outlander felt himself begin to tremble. "Everything that you are, everything that you long to be must be put aside. As of today, you have only one path - one destiny - and it will not be an easy one. It will require your complete dedication and obedience - but the rewards will be more than you could imagine."

Folken fell to his knees before the emperor, "My lord . . . your majesty . . . I-I am unworthy of such an honor - or such trust. I-I cannot possibly fulfill such expectations . . ."

"Folken, you do not understand what it is that you possess. Within your veins burns the blood of Atlantis. Together you and I will discover how to harness the power of that blood. It is that very power that will lead Gaea into the future - a future that you and I will bring about. Think of it - you will be responsible for unlocking the power that will lead our beautiful world to untold peace and prosperity. You are the key, Folken."

Folken felt the tears streaming down his face. I can bring peace and prosperity to Gaea? But how - I don't understand. But . . . Van - think of Van . . . a world of peace where he will never have to face a dragon. A world where there would be no need for dragon slayers.

Folken slowly looked up and faced Dornkirk. "Y-Your majesty, I am your servant and humbly beg to be your student. I will serve you and learn from you. I am yours."

Of course you are my young dragon prince - as if there was ever any doubt.