Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Ashes and Remembrance ❯ Chapter Eleven ( Chapter 11 )

ELEVEN

Slamming the door to his quarters, Folken Lacour threw his books down onto the worktable. Damn him! His jaw clenched, the young man paced about the small room trying to work off some of his anger. I can't believe that I'm such a fool! I should have known better. Turning back to the worktable, he slammed his right fist down onto the pitted wooden surface. Damn you Garufo! Startled by his own anger, Folken took several deep breaths as he tried to calm down.

Even after all this time, Folken was still disgusted by the manipulations and backstabbing that went on within the sorcerer's tower. It seemed as if everyone had some kind of scheme going on designed to help them rise higher within the tower ranks; and from every indication that the young apprentice could see, Emperor Dornkirk encouraged such behavior.

Garufo . . . Folken knew that the man hated him, for it was no secret that the older man believed himself to be Dornkirk's destined apprentice and he deeply resented Folken for supplanting him in the emperor's favor. To make matters even worse, Dornkirk had assigned the man to oversee the pilot selections for the new guymelef prototypes - which meant that Folken had to work closely with him almost every day. While Garufo had never openly challenged him, the man had made no effort to hide his hatred and contempt for the young outlander. Folken had learned to always be on his guard when dealing with the older man, but this time he had allowed Garufo to get the better of him - and he had no one to blame but himself.

But how much does he really know? What has he seen? Pacing again, Folken recalled the encounter that had taken place less then an hour ago.

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Garufo had cornered Folken in one of the hallways; and as always, the man had a sly look on his face. Yet today, he seemed even more smug than usual. "Ah Lacour, there you are." The young man could hear the contempt in the other man's voice. "I trust the new guymelef prototypes are almost ready for testing?"

"Yes; I was just meeting with Juri and Marco - we were making plans for the final set of tests."

"Good, good . . . in fact, that's what I wanted to speak with you about. I've been going over the list of pilot candidates for the new units and I've made my choices. I'd like to get started with them as soon as possible."

"When?"

"I'd like to have the new pilots at the training center within the next week. I really think we should start as soon as possible - this project has taken far too much time as it is."

"N-Next week?" Folken couldn't hide the hesitation in his voice.

"Yes . . . do you have a problem with that Lacour?" Garufo slyly smiled.

"Well . . . uh . . . I-I have something else scheduled for next week - it's quite important." Jindra was to return home then and he had already made arrangements to see her.

Garufo had a dangerous gleam in his eye, "More important that Emperor Dornkirk's plans?"

"Uh . . . n-no," Folken stammered under the man's gaze. "I'm sure I can reschedule it."

"I hope that it won't cause you any personal trouble . . ." the older man smirked at him.

"P-P-Personal trouble . . . I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

Garufo narrowed his eyes, "Oh, I'm sure you understand completely. You may think that you're clever Lacour, but you're going to fall. Take my word for it - you will; and I'll be there to see it. We'll see how much of the emperor's favor you have then."

Folken could feel the anger building within; he's trying to bait me into saying something stupid. I won't give in to him though. Trying to muster up more confidence then he really had, Folken looked the older man in the eye. "Your petty jealousy is such a bore Garufo; it's a pity that you can't put that same kind of effort into your work."

The man's face started to turn an odd shade of purplish red, "Have your fun Lord Folken," he said with a sneer as he spit out Folken's name. "You'll get yours soon enough - then we'll see how much you like it then."

Garufo turned away and took several steps down the hall before stopping and looking back. "Oh by the way . . . one of the pilots that I've selected is a friend of yours I believe . . . Coren Roh? He has a sister that you're also acquainted with, doesn't he?" He gave Folken a cold, hateful smile. "The world is such a small place - don't you agree?" Laughing he turned and started back down the hallway.

Folken felt the sweat break out on his brow. Coren . . . Jin . . . Hurrying towards his rooms, he had felt the anger within him grow - as if he could explode at any minute. Flinging open the door to his rooms, he shut it with a slam.

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Folken stopped pacing as he reached the middle of his front room. "If he hurts either one of them . . . by the gods, he'll pay - if it's the last thing I ever do, he'll pay.

Clenching his fists, Folken felt his nails bite into the tender flesh of his left palm. Looking down, he opened his hand and stared at the small half-moon shaped cuts that were slowly welling up with blood. He'll pay in blood - I swear it.