Le Jeune Guilavene

Epilogue:

Allen woke up alone the next morning. This did not overly concern him, for while it was bad manners to abandon one’s lover without a word, it was a slightly different matter if said lover was sleeping in the other’s home. It was not like Dryden had disappeared never to be seen again. He yawned as he pulled himself out of bed and drug himself to the window. Judging by the sun it was still relatively early in the morning.
Mentally, the blonde thanked the rogue for not waking him. Every one of his crew, including Merle and Lady Sora, stayed up late into the night exchanging explanations with Guilavene at the sword merchant’s shop and home. The youth had lightened up a bit when he realized he could trust them, and that they had tried to save him. He had explained about his parents and the deal his father had made with the Strategos, his journey across Austoria, and the disastrous misinterpretation of the events after the tournament, his travels with Dilandu, the Strategos’ final capture, and his escape. The prince had a distinct impression that he was holding back a lot of information, but assumed it was of a personal nature that should not be shared with strangers.
For his part, Allen apologized and expressed his deep regret for having caused him trouble. Then he went into the Queen’s betrayal, and his own resignation from her service in order to pursue him. Guilavene seemed genuinely touched by the gesture and forgave him readily. The blonde wondered though if he would have if the youth had not been in such a good mood to begin with. Despite everything that had happened to him, the young swordsman just seemed happy with being alive and safe. Allen’s own guilt was eased as he watched the boy laugh easily as Merle told him about Dryden’s atrocious riding skills.
Finally, well after midnight, their host escorted his guests to various rooms for some much needed sleep. Guilavene, Merle, and Lady Sora were settled in a cozy little guest room. The hybrid girl had curled up comfortably on the window seat, Lady Sora got the bed, and was was more than content to take the floor. Gaddes and the others were scattered about in the shop below, and Allen of course, had shared a room with Dryden, though they had been too exhausted to take advantage of that fact.
Still yawning and stretching away sleep, the ex-captain got dressed at a leisurely pace. He thought it best to see what his lover was up to. The roguish man was not be trusted to own devices after all. As he traveled down the hallway, he was surprised to find that the guest room door was wide open and no one inside. He suppressed his initial paranoia until he could question Dryden. As he reached the bottom of the stairs that led into the shop, he was amused to find all his men still asleep, scattered about the room like pack of fallen cards.
Carefully, he tip-toed over them and made his way to the kitchen where he could hear someone cooking. Inside the kitchen, small and cozy like the rest of Dryden’s home, was the man himself, as well as Lady Sora, delicately eating her breakfast of fruit and tea. The roguish man turned to Allen and smiled at his lover’s disheveled hair and clothes.
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“You should know, you were there,’ the blonde quipped, and took a seat opposite the pale woman, ‘Have you seen Merle and Guilavene?”
“Merle took Van down to the beach hours ago.”
“The beach?”
“Yes, our young friend was adamant about seeing it. Said he did not know how long he had before he to leave and he wanted to see it just once. It was really rather touching to see him sentimental,” Dryden explained, and set a plate of fried bread and eggs in front of Allen.
“Mm. Poor kid, he’s been running so hard for so long, he thinks this little reprieve is as good as it can possibly be,” the blonde said sadly.
“That reminds me,’ the merchant began, ‘Have you thought about what you are going to do for him now? He cannot stay in Palas. The Strategos will look for him here first, and if the Queen finds the boy you know there will be trouble. At the same time, we can’t just let him wander around aimlessly and without protection. That would just be plain cruel.”
“I have a few ideas I’ll run by Guilavene when he gets back, but if they fall through, I will just have to take him to Freid. He’s a stout young lad and he will blend in with the people there, so I am sure he will be able to find work. But I’ll leave that as a last resort. He deserves better than to be dumped in the middle of nowhere.”
Something about his words made Lady Sora give him an ironic smile, but she quickly hid it with her tea cup. Just then, a loud rapping sounded at the front door. Allen and Dryden shared a brief, worried look and anwered together. They tried to avoid waking the other sleeping soldiers as they climbed over them, but half of them had already been awaken by the insistent banging. Outside the entrance they were surprised to find a Royal Messenger and about four nervous looking Royal Guardsmen.
“By order of her Majesty, Queen Eries,’ the haughty messenger began, ‘I summon you, Prince Allen, to accompany us to the palace.”
Allen sighed.
“I’m surprised she found out we were back to quickly,” he said, ignoring the messenger.
“Well, we were hardly discreet,” Dryden said, pointing to the little herd of riding elk currently blocking off most of the street.
“I have to meet with my aunt, but you better stay here and keep an eye on the others. Tell them they can go home if they like, but I’ll be back by this afternoon. And put Gaddes in charge, they won’t listen to you and they can get a bit rowdy,” he instructed as he walked out the door and followed the other men back towards the palace.

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Allen sat across from Eries inside a pleasant little tea room nestled in the corner of the palace, feeling anything but pleasant under his aunt’s piercing gaze. They were alone for once, not even her pre present scribes were about. A tray of tea and snacks lay cold and untouched on a nearby table to give the illusion of hospitality. Her Majesty’s disposition was unreadable, despite their familiarity, and she had not said a word since he had arrived. Like a statue in her gray satin dress, she did not so much as blink as she scrutinized him from head to toe.
“I have heard,’ she finally said, ‘that your party passed through the city gates late last night. Might I ask you you did not come to the palace? Surely you did not think I was so cross with you that I would send you away?”
Allen smiled slightly, surprising even himself.
“There were other matters to attend to, and when they were completed it was very late. I did not wish to disturb you or your staff at that hour, and Dryden’s home was closer,” he explained.
Eries nodded, but seemed suspicious.
“And your mission? You were not gone for very long.”
“ilurilure. We did manage to catch up to the demon Dilandu, but he told us the Strategos had already recaptured avenavene and then managed to escape. Lord Balgus and his men are still tracking him down as we speak. We returned to Palas as Lady Sora directed, but both the Strategos and Guilavene had disappeared,” Allen lied, hoping he sounded convincing.
He must have, because a sort of smug smile crossed the Queen’s expression.
“How unfortunate,” she said.
“I’m sure,” the prince snapped bitterly, the resentment he felt for her genuine.
“Watch your tone, nephew,’ she warned, ‘I am still queen and won\'t tolerate insolence. Even from you.”
“Au wiu will. Was there anything else?”
“One more thing. Where is Merle? Chid has been pestering me non-stop about her and frankly I am getting impatient with it.”
“She is still aydenyden’s, recuperating from the journey. I will return her later this evening after she has rested,” he said.
“Will you be joining us again this evening then?” she asked, something unbearably smug about her voice.
With immense pleasure, he shook his head, disillusioning her.
“No. I still need to resettle my men. Then need to set up provisions for Lord Balgus and his men for when they return. After that I need to get in contact with Commander Falzez. I will be much too busy to keep running back and forth. Dryden has offered me his home. It’s only a few blocks from the army headquarters and already inside the marketplace, so its incredibly convenient.”
“Commander Falzez? Why in Gaea would you want tet wet with her?” the Queen asked, obviously confused.
“I am going to ask for a commission along the border,” he said.
“What?!”
“It is only practical, your Majesty. You said it yourself that relations between Austoria and Freid are deteriorating. If war is as close as you say, then it is my duty to help prepare and protect our country. Besides it will boost the morale of the troops and the experience will do me good,” Allen reasoned, sounding just as smug as she had only moments ago.
“You can’t briourious.”
“I most certainly am. It’s all for the best, you know.”
“Allen this is a big decision. We need to discuss this.”
“It is my decision, and I have already made it,” he said resolutely.
“But-”
“I will see you later, your Majesty. You will tell Chid I will be sure to visit before I leave, won’t you?”
The prince stood and bowed to her, then turned away and walked out. He was grinning to himself all the way back to the palace court yard, pleased with how well the meeting had gone. She did not suspect a thing yet, and even if she found out he was lying, she was in no position to show displeasure towards him in public for aiding Guilavene’s escape from demons.
Allen walked leisurely through the palace gates, and was surprised to find Miguel waiting for him. The young demon slayer was travel worn and weary, but alert as he sat patiently on top of his riding elk, another mount waiting beside him. He approached the prince slowly, keeping a wary eye on the palace guards.
“What are you doing here, Miguel?” Allen asked.
“I am sorry to say that our mission was unsuccessful, and we have returned early. Lord Balgus sent me to find you, and bring you to him. Sir Dryden has already gone ahead to talk with him,” the young man informed him.
“Very well.”
Allen accepted the second elk and followed Miguel through the streets. The prince kept an eye out for any of his aunt’s spies, but he was familiar with most of them and saw no one suspicious following them. They passed through the city square and turned left down an alley. The alley way opened into three way street and they continued straight, passing an incense dealer and a paper merchant.
The day was sunny and pleasant, most of the citizens were out in the streets or in the parks enjoying the fine weather. Men, women, and children swarmed around them, happy and oblivious of what had happened the night before.
As they followed the road it began to curve upward towards ocean and the cliffs. It was then that Allen realized they were heading towards the beach. Palas was fortunate to boast not only cliffs for defense against naval attack, but also a harbor perched at the bottom of those cliffs, and beach not far from the harbor. However, to get to the harbor or the beach, one had to climb down one of a dozen ramps that bee been carved along the sides of the cliffs. The prince took the lead and led Miguel to one of the less used ramps, though it was still fairly crowded.
They reached the bottom of the ramp that entered the docks. Here they had to dismount in order to guide their steeds through the overly crowded marina. They struggled through the pier, evading fishermen and traders returning from sea and the many others also on their way to the beach. The place stank of dead fish, unwashed sailors, and salt water. It was with great relief that they left he pier and rode a short distance through sandy pass between a little canyon, free of the crushing bodies and stench.
Finally, they reacher their destination. The path opened up into a large beach with pristine white sand and a few too many recreationalists. Despite this it was easy to locate Lord Balgus and Dryden amongst the crowd. First because the old demon hunter was the largest man thernd snd second because they were the only ones not appropriately dressed for the beach. Currently, they were both leaning against a large cluster of rocks and looking out onto the ocean, Guilavene’s sword resting between them. Allen followed their line of sight, and found what had their apt attention.
There, playing in the surf with Merle, was Guilavene. They were both still fully dressed, the boy in his tunic and the girl in her red fervum riding clothes, but neither seemed to mind as they were already soaked thoroughly. The dark haired youth was currently struggling to chase after his hybrid friend in the hip wat water with the waves occasionally crashing into him and stealing his balance. Merle just laughed at him and let the motions of the waves carry her along.
“I have never seen him laugh,“Allen said as he came to stand beside his mentor and his lover.
“He’s been like that since we got here,” Dryden replied, “I feel like laughing just watching him. It’s kind of weird.”
“I’m happy for him. He deserves this. Where are the others?”
“My shop. Gaddes has already sent most of your men home already, the rest are currently raiding my kitchen.”
Allen cringed.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I am adding that to my assistance fee.”
That made the prince laughed, even though he knew the merchant meant every word. He had not thought about the man’s ‘assistance fee’ for a while.
The little group remained silent for a while, just watching as Van finally managed to catch up to Merle and proceeded to tackle her, only to be bowled over by an unexpectedly large wave. The hybrid child laughed hysterically as he came up with sea grass clinging to his hair.
“Balgus, I wanted to ask a favor of you,” Allen finally said.
The scared hunter turned to his former pupil, his one eye keenly focused on him.
“You know Guilavene came to Palas to become a demon hunter, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Balgus replied.
“If he still wants to, would you be willing to overlook the trial process and take him in as an apprentice? He cannot remain here in Palas, and the academy is the only truly safe place I can think of for him to be.”
“I have already decided to ask the boy the same question,’ the large man said, turning back to the ocean, ‘He has already proven himself worthy as far as I am concerned and would be a great asset to the cause. Besides, his father was good friend of mine. I would never turn away his kin, especially his oremaremaining legacy.”
“Then it is decided,” Dryden concluded.
“A happy end it would seem,” Allen said.
“What ever makes you think this is the end?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That evening, Van was more subdued than he had been that morning. He still felt good, but it had fallen from an overwhelming joy to calm contentment.
If someone were to ask him why he felt so happy in the first place, he would say he was simply glad to be alive. The truth, however, was more complicated or perhaps more conceited.
He had started his journey a boy, forced to flee out of fear and uncertainty. On the road, he had tried to console himself, saying that it would be an adventure in which he would find out what sort of man he would become. Now, he could say he was truly satisfied with the result. He had fought and fought, and somehow managed to keep fighting, until finally he had defeated Folken for the first time. He had forced the demon to retreat, and not the other way around. The young hunter now considered himself the demon’s equal, and perhaps Folken considered the same thing.
That had not been his original goal, but he felt more satisfied with it than the other. His father was going to have to be satisfied with it, for he did not think he could bring himself to kill the Strategos now. It would be a poor way to repay one’s lover.
“What are you grinning about?” Measkeasked.
Van snapped out his thoughts and blushed.
“Nothing.”
“I’m sure,” she said skeptically.
After a brief stop at a local bath house with Dryden, Van was now both clean and sporting some impressive riding clothes, compliments of the youngest demon hunter Miguel. The younger brunette had a sneaking suspicion that Dryden knew exactly what had happened between him and Folken, and while that was embarrassing, he was almost certain that the merchant would keep that information to himself.
Currently, he was waiting just outside the city limits for Lord Balgus and his crew to show up. Merle had snuck him out of the city a short while before, the both of them hidden beneath their own cloaks. Despite the heat of the day, the nights in Palas were cool, and nothing seemed suspicious about them to the citizen as they passed them in the streets. They ceased their little escape when they just out of sight of the city guardsmen, and sat beside the remains of broken down wagon.
“Lord Van, do you think you will ever come back to Palas?” Merle asked quietly, fiddling with a blade of grass nervously.
Again with the Lord Van. Sigh.
“I do not know. Why?”
The hybrid frowned.
“It’s just... I’ll miss you.”
Van turned to her, surprised. He had not thought about that. Their time together had not been long, but he considered her his best friend. The trust and faith she had had in him were amazing, and the memories he had of her were always fond.
“You know,’ he began, ‘I may never be able to come to Palas... But that does not mean you have to always stay in the city.”
A grin spread across the girl’s face from ear to ear, and her eyes were wide and bright as she turned to him.
“Are you serious? We could visit each other?”
“Of course. Do you really think I would neglect such a good friend?”
She practically squealed in delight and threw her arms around him. The force of her hug knocked the air from his lungs, but somehow he managed to laugh. He took her by her shoulders and pushed her back a little so he could look her in the eyes.
“It will be difficult at first,’ he said, ‘because you are too young to leave the city without a chaperon right now, and I won’t be able to leave the academy for a while, but I promise we will meet again.”
Her radiant smile did not dissipate, and she nodded with understanding.
“I hope we’re not interrupting anything,” came an amused voice from behind them.
The two youth sprang apart in an instant, turning sheepish gazes towards the new arrivals. Allen, Dryden, Lord Balgus & Co. were all perched upon riding elk behind them. Van turned a curious gaze to the scarenternter. Was this the man Hitomi’s cards had spoken of? The unequal relationship of teacher and pupil? Lord Balgus was one scary looking man, but he would take him as teacher over the Strategos any day.
“Ah, no. We were just saying our goodbyes,” he explained.
The young hunter gave Merle one last hug and a goodbye smile, before accep the the riding elk offered him. He turned to Allen and shook his hand.
“Thank you, Allen, for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Even chasing after you like a common criminal?”
The prince actually flinched at the words when they came out. He not not mean to sound so indifferent. But Van looked thoughtful for moment and smiled.
“Yes, even for that,’ he said pleasantly, and turned his attention to Dryden, ‘I owe you a great deal of thanks as well. I would never have gotten this far without you.”
The rogue just grinned and waved it off.
“If you’re going to thank me for something, thank me for this,” he said, and pulled something long wrapped in a gray cloth.
Van accepted it with obvious curiosity. He could not eveginegin to think what Dryden could possibly be giving him. He pulled a the the gray cloth and gasped.
“How did you-”
“It was simple enough. I just collected the broken pieces and had a friend of mine use the same steel to ree ite it. The spell on it is broken now, but its still strong and you may find some use for it in your illustrious career,” the merchant teased.
In Van’s hands lay Escaflowne, as beautiful and perfect as he had remembered it. It no longer felt warm or glowed to his touch, but he could still feel the faintest traces of magic running through his fingers as he held it. He looked at Dryden in confusion. The merchant could easily have made a fortune off this single blade, already proven to be of demon origins and with a history like none other.
“It belongs to you,’ the brunette said idly, ‘You won it at the tournament, remember? I have no right to sell it.”
“Thank you, Dryden.”
“I told you your first tournament prize was important, but did you listen?” Allen teased.
Van blinked at him stupidly for a moment, then smiled. It would seem the merchant humor was rubbing off on the prince.
“We should be going now,” Lord Balgus interrupted, knowing they still had a good ways to go before they reached the next town.
They said their last goodbye and good luck, and then Van was gone, following the other demon hunter’s into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Much later that night, the shop was empty. Merle had been returned to the palace and an overjoyed Prince Chid, and Gaddes and the soldiers had all gone home or to a tavern. Only Allen and Dryden remained, laying naked and sweaty in each other’s arms after their love making.
“Mmm... It’s hard to believe how much I can miss something after only experiencing it once,” the prince said softly.
His partner just smiled his agreement.
But then Allen’s smile suddenly disappeared, and he looked troubled.
“What’s the matter?” Dryden asked.
“I am going to meet with Commander Falzez tomorrow.”
“What for?”
“I am going to the border to prepare for the war with Freid. I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to Palas,” the blonde said sadly.
“And you are worried we’ll never see each other again.” the roguish man concluded, smiling softly.
Allen nodded.
“Don’t.”
The swordsman looked at his lover with confusion.
“Don’t worry,’ Dryden repeated, kissing his lover affectionately, ‘Our fate is intertwined. I can see i cle clearly now, I think I must have been blind not noticed it before. We will never be separated for long.”
“Really?” he asked, hopeful.
“Have I bee been wrong?”
Allen smiled and shook his head.
“I think I should also mention that its our fate to make love one more time tonight,” the rogue said, smiling seductively.
The prince just laughed, as his mate rolled over on top of him for the second time that night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Far to the west, a very different conversation was taking place by two very different people.
“Good evening, Varie. Can’t sleep?” Folken asked.
His ‘guest’ was sitting beside the window, dressed in an elegant white velvet evening gown. She stared out upon the darkened forest towards Viona and its enchanting lights. How much she reminded him of Van at that moment. The gentle features, the stillness, and quiet sadness were all reminiscent of that night when Folken had returned to the dreamscape after Zongi’s cremation.
She turned to him, obviously surprised by his presence. She was even more surprised to find her demon host supporting himself on a crutch. Folken smiled at her questioning expression.
“A memento from your son,” he explained as he took a seat uher her bed to rest.
That brought a smile to her face as well, but there was nothing vindictive behind it.
“So Van took his first victory, then?”
“Yes. You should be very proud. He performed beautifully.”
“I thought for certain you would succeed this time.”
“As did I. It would appear it was not to be,” Folken said, resigned to the fact.
“Does this mean you will stop your pursuit of him?” she asked, her tone hopeful.
“Varie, you should know better. I will never give him up. However, he has earned a reprieve for the time being. There are other more pressing matters I must attend to,” he said, and stood to leave.
The woman sighed and turned her sad gaze back towards the window, but Folken paused at the door.
“There is one more thing. Van wanted you to have something. Perhaps it
will ease your mind,” he said, and placed Van’s letter upon a nearby dresser.
Varie wed hed him disappear from her place by the window. The moment he was gone, however, she leapt up and seized the paper. She took it to the bed with her and sat down to read it. She unfolded it with shaky hands. She frowned slightly with her first glance at it, then realized Van had written in the Friedian alphabet, and not Friedian itself. The first lines she managed to decode brought a bitter sweet smile to her face.

Dear Mother
Be brave. I will come for you...

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Dilandu stalked the darkened halls of the demon palace. Shortly after escaping the foolish demon hunters, he had been able to summon Nazuco from the quickly drying ea Af After that it had only been a brief ride to the very border of Zaibach. He was only slightly surprised to see a large band of servants already waiting for him. He was escorted into the palace with a flurry of praise, questions, and offerings of clothing and food. He ignored all of them completely, already in a foul mood and quickly left them behind as he entered the more secure sections of his father’s home.
He passed several guards, who saluted him briskly upon his passing and did nothing to hinder him. This brought a strange sort of pleasure to the demon prince. He was home, at last. The centuries of his imprisonment had ended, and he would continue where he had left off by retaking his kingdom. Power was his n, an, and he would not be so easily defeated by Folken again.
Loosing Van was one defeat that brought a bitter taste to him mouth. However, he had faith in the mortal’s dumb luck. He would escape his half brother as he had in the past, and they would meet again.
But for now, he had other matters to attend to.
Dilandu stepped towards the throne room, and the doors opened for him of their own accord. Inside, everything was just as the demon prince had remembered it. The room rose up around him into an enormous dome, devoid of windows, the many blinking white lights acted as the stars. flo floor was of white marble, but it glowed blue, acting as the only form of lighting for the room. And beform wam was the throne. A massive machination of tubes, lights, and steel; constantly hissing and clicking.
Ensed wed with in the mechanical monstrosity sat the emperor, Dornkirk. The demon king’s snowy hair beard lay stretch out before him, disappearing into the machine as if they part of the masses of wiring entangling the machine. Dornkirk was an anciean, an, even by demon standards. His face was pale and wrinkled, his body thin and frail. But despite his physical weakness and immobility, his sharp red eyes were alert and his mind with reeling with plans and formulations. And flowing in sync with his thoughts, his mechanical throne blinked and hissed and clicked; collecting, storing, and sending the information where it needed to go.
However, as Dilandu stepped forward, his small form illuminated by blue stones at his feet, the constant noise the machine stopped. Emperor Dornkirk turned his red gaze down towards the little demon, and a smile crossed his haggard face. The demon prince dropped to his knees, bowing respectfully to his father and master, but he was smiling as well. In a low, quiet voice that boomed and echoed in the cavernous room, the emperor spoke.
“Welcome back, my son.”


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Author\'s notes: That\'s the last of it. Thanks for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. And an extra thanks for those who commented. I really appreciate it.