Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Swords and Tears ❯ Discovery... ( Chapter 1 )

Swords and Tears

Chapter One

The gallant swordsman sat on his balcony whistling a peaceful tune. It reminded him of the home he once knew and the family he once had. A single tear rolled down his cheek, but just as he was just about to wipe it away, a man's cries from across the courtyard caught his attention. He stood up and watched as the man ran through his flowerbeds. //He'll pay for that. // Thought the knight. //But for now, I'll listen to what he has to say. //

The bright haired young knight walked down the winding staircase and crossed his arms at the bottom. It was a steward coming to address him. //How dare he not stop and acknowledge me when he saw me! // He thought again. //Maybe there is really something amiss. // The man stopped five feet from his master and bowed.

"Pardon me Master Shear, but I have urgent news!" The man began. "Your scouts have returned and they've brought someone with them. You may want to see him for yourself." And with a sweep of his hand, Allen Shear dismissed the man. //Maybe I will go. I have nothing better to do anyways. // He thought, and was on his way before the thought left him.

Allen didn't know who would be hiding in his woods this time of year, the drunkards and criminals had left before winter. But maybe this wasn't your normal criminal or bounty hunter. He could be dangerous. Allen stepped into the dungeons and stopped dead in his tracks. There was no way this boy could be the one his steward had mentioned! He didn't seem capable of hunting large animals or killing men. He was…a boy. He was unconscious and he lay limp on the floor. When his master had arrived, one of the jail guards kicked the boy, but he couldn't rouse him. Allen stepped forward and stared. His hair was as black as night and his skin was pale cream, the colour of whitewashed linens. Allen was struck dumb. As he neared, the boy began to move.

The young man sat up and stretched. Looking around with //red eyes? // he took in his surroundings. When he saw the guards, he jumped up and reached for his sword. But it wasn't there! Of course it wasn't. The guards had disarmed him before they brought him into the castle. He stood motionless for a moment and then took a leap at the closest guard. The man stepped back and caught the boy just as he was reaching for his sword. "Let me go!" He screamed. But the guard wouldn't.

Allen watched with interest. //This boy could be a good slave for me. He has charisma and they are valued in the marketplace. Maybe I'll keep him after all. // He walked over to the guard who held the small boy tight. He shrank away when Allen carressed his cheek and when Allen let go, the boy sank his teeth into his palm. Allen screamed and backed away. The boy stood, still held by the guard waiting for a beating. His eyes brimmed with tears and he collapsed. The guard put him down and stepped back. With a few quiet words, the guards picked the boy up again and carried him out of the dungeons. //I swear, by the Knights of Caeli, you will never see the inside of a dungeon again. // Thought Allen as he walked before the guards to his own private rooms. //You will be a hard one to break, but I'm sure it won't be that hard. I broke the Strategos of Fanelia after all, and he was the best of his kind. You know, you remind me of him...

A/N~ Well? What do you think? My first Escaflowne fic but not my first anime fic, nope, not by a long shot. I thought I'd try something different. Don't worry though, this doesn't turn out to be one of those slave/master ficcies. I don't particularly like those. I just needed a premise to get the ball rolling. Hehehe… //_~