Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ The Royals of Atlantis ❯ Home Sweet Home? ( Chapter 4 )

Her voice called out helplessly to him. Where was he? Her heart was low; she needed to find him. This place where she staggered around helplessly seemed cold and unforgiving. She could hear the shouting of men in the bars she walked past, drunkards stumbling from the taverns with scantily clad women on their arms. Hitomi shivered as she caught one staring at her, a grin on his face as he moved towards her in as straight a line as possible.

"You ok love? You look frozen!" he said as he leaned against a wall next to her. His breath smelt of whisky or some odorous liquor and Hitomi wrinkled her nose in destaste.

"I'm fine thank you." She answered meekly as she tried to move away.

"Woo… where do you think your going. Come with me. I'm sure I can warm you up in no time."

Hitomi turned her intentions to run but the ruffian blocked her way, his hands coming to either side of her head. She cried out when he pressed himself against her, whimpered lightly when she caught of some people coming close. They held the crest of Fanilia on their uniforms and the closer they came the more hope she gained.

"What ya got there, Troy." One called out to the man holding her.

"A good time, that's what. Now bugger off and go and see to that woman of yours."

"Please," Hitomi whimpered as the men gathered around her, "Someone help me." They burst into laughter at her distressed state, which made dread run through her and her hope dwindled rapidly.

"Looks like she isn't interested in you Troy." One laughed as he came closer. "Lets see if she'd prefer some real man." The man known as Troy grinned slightly as he released his hold and past her to the other. "I hope Troy didn't scare you. He's a little bit to eager for his own good." he soothed lightly, ". Would you like us to help you? We are all eager men capable of giving you a good time. Would you like to have a good time with me, missy?" The tone of his voice was I little comforting, sounding similar to Allen's but she soon realised her error as his tone changed sharply, becoming rougher. She cried out as she was flung against the wall and he immediately began pulling at her clothes.

"That's right, Nathan. You don't ask the whore, you make her." Hitomi heard another shout over the laughter. The four men crowded around the pair shielding their companion from spying eyes as Nathan began to unceremoniously disrobe Hitomi of her clothes. She cried out for help as his hands slipped under her shirt and she whimpered when her attackers mouth against hers silenced her.

"You know your enjoying yourself. Just relax after all its me doing the hard work." he chuckled as he began lifting her skirt again. She wept tears of despair and horror, knowing what was happening. Was this why she had returned to this place to be ripped of her innocence by some drunken soldier. She felt numb to the core. No one would answer her cries and she simply stared off into the darkness as Nathan's hot mouth began to taste the skin of the top of her chest as he ripped her shirt open, going lower as his other hand ran up her thigh. Whimpers of his name were all she uttered one word that held sorrow, humility and the feeling of betrayal. That's what she felt; though she could do nothing to stop it. He had come for her, returned her to this world and here she was unable to stop the man that forced himself on her.

A shout in the distance caused the man's head to snap up. She whimpered as she was released and she sank to the floor. Finally shock took hold of her and she began to cry.

"Hey boy why don't you go and find your own… lord I didn't...forgive my tone, I didn't realise it was you." Her captor stuttered, his voice sharply changing from a deep warning tone to a submissive mumble.

"What the hell did you think you were doing?" a voice shouted in anger.

"We were just having some fun, Sir." One of the men stuttered, roughly grabbing hold of her and dragging her to stand. " She's only a common whore, you can tell by her tarty clothes. What else could she be? Anyway look Sir, nothings wrong with her." The sound of a sword being drawn echoed in Hitomi's head and she lifted her head slowly to look at the man who had come to her aid. His face was shrouded in shadows only the top of his head viewable and she tried with vain to identify him.

"Be so kind to hand the lady over." The man said in a tone that was full of authority and Hitomi felt herself being lifted into another's arms. "Thank you, now I'd advise you to leave for I am in no mood to deal with you right now. Report to me tomorrow, I'll see to all of you then. I expected far more of a Fanelian soldier." The men left abruptly, running for their lives, for this figure was no one to mess with.

He had felt her distress long before he had seen her, the bitter emotions flooding his in tuned senses. His anger boiled at the sight before him, his eyes reddening with rage as he watched his own men try and defile the woman before him.

"If you value you lives I would let her go now." He shouted as he neared the group. Their reaction was immediate, a frightened glaze crossing their eyes as they backed down before him. Only one of the men didn't realise whom he was confronted with.

These older men, no they weren't men, a true man would never try and do such a thing to a defenceless woman. And if this was what all men were like then he did not wish to reach the 18 years of adult hood, which came so near to him. He came nearer disregarding the other mans bold warning and smirked when recognition dawned on the others face. The woman was transferred into his hold and he turned away from the fleeing group. He would deal with them later but at the moment this lady needed care and there was one place he thought to take her.

Van ran through the many streets of Fanelia. She was here he could feel her panic rising with every moment and I tore him apart. It was upon his arrive to the rougher part of town located a good distance from the castle that he finally found signs of her. Fabric of clothing lay ripped on the floor and as he scooped to pick it up and image flashed in front of his eyes.

"Hitomi!" he choked out as terror flooded his being. She had been here and … He couldn't bare to think of what had befallen her.

It was early morning now and the streets were desolate, not a soul occupied the area and so there was no one to ask if she had been seen. Yet he was not going to stop looking, even if he had to knock on every door scantily clad in his night-clothes and that was exactly what he planned to do. Unfortunately those who were kind enough to open their doors could not aid him in his search and with a weary heart he made his way back to the castle. Hopefully she had made her way there by herself; although he was doubtful.

"Lady, awake, the day is dawning. Surely you would not wish to miss such a magical moment." Hitomi blinked as she was helped up in bed. Her head hurt badly and as her hand made its way to the back of it she realised why; a large mound had apeared where her head had made contact with a wall last night. She yelped when she touched it and the voice from last night let out a humorous chuckle. Hitomi huffed under breath as she went to stand only to fall forward and land in a pair of sturdy arms. They wrapped protectively around her waist and she grudgingly leaned against it.

It suddenly occurred to her that she wasn't even sure who spoke to her and she glanced up at the man in front of her. From his voice she knew that it was her rescuer from that night, but who was he? His hair hung loosely over his eyes reaching down to his shoulders, its midnight black colouration catching the days first light. His eyes held mahogany orbs, which danced with life and made her feel uncommonly warm.

"May I be so bold into enquiring why a pretty little thing like yourself was in such despicable company." She nodded feebly as his cool hands pushed her back arm length to look at her.

"I got lost and I couldn't find…" 'Van!' she thought mentally. "How long have I been here? Where am I?" she cried out as she ripped herself from his hold. "God he'll have been looking for me all night."

"You have been here for a good few hours, Lady. I thought it wise to remove you from the street, considering your condition and state."

"What condition? What state?" she blurted out only to receive a heartily laugh from her would be rescuer.

"Well considering that you were barely dressed and unconscious that did contribute some what to my decision." He chuckled. "Now is there someone I can help you find, someone who knows you?"

"Yes please!" she responded quietly as she fiddled with the bed sheet he had around her form. "I need to get to Fanelia. How do I do that?" Another burst of laughter escaped his throat.

"Dear Lady you are at this moment standing in the soldiers barracks of the Fanelian army. Surely you knew you were in Fanelia? What would make you think you were any where else?" Hitomi sighed running her hand through her hair before looking back at the man.

"My name is Hitomi and I have come from far away. I doubt you will understand or believe me if I told you the truth. I thank you greatly for the service you did for me last night but would you be kind enough to grant me a request." The man bent to one knee and taking her hand in his placed a soft kiss on the tender skin.

"Lady Hitomi, I, Marcus Luenthia, commander of the second army of Fanelia would be honoured to do your bidding." He grinned widely as she blushed at his action.

"Would you take me to the King. I must speak to him." This sent the man into silence.

"What would you wish to see Lord Van for. If it is concerning the vagabonds from last night believe me they will be seen to later today." Hitomi shook her head as she came back towards him.

"No Marcus it is not concerning them. I have… business with your King." His eyes scrutinised her for a moment, their intensity uncannily similar to that of Van's.

"Who are you? Perhaps I was wrong to intervene last night. Are you indeed a strumpet as my men thought you to be? If you are I doubt the King will be interested in your company, if he wanted to I'm sure he would find himself some lady of class not a two penny street crawler like yourself." The flat palm of her hand made contact with Marcus' face with such force it snapped to the side.

"I am not nor have I ever been any common concubine, mistress, courtesan or harlot." She hissed at him. "You have no right to be so presumptuous."

"Very well then." He spoke as he rubbed his already swelling cheek. "Who are you then?"

"Just take me to him please." Marcus muttered something under his breath as he reached behind the door to his chamber and produced a long hooded cloak, which he proceeded to drape over her shoulders. It completely covered her, the heavy fabric causing her body to bend with the wait and the hood practically blinded her.

"Very well. I will take you to see him, but be warned he is not a patient man towards those who waist his time."

"I do not intent to waist his time at all. All will be clear when he sees me."

"If you say so, Lady." He replied sarcastically as he took her by the hand and escorted her towards the palace, and to what he was certain was a pointless journey. The King would put this woman straight and he couldn't wait to see it.