Prologue

It had been almost two years to the day since the incident with Darkstar and Valgaav when Amelia requested Lina and Gourry's presence in Seyruun. The two travellers immediately began their journey to the city and arrived less than a week later, their pockets fattened considerably by a rather well established bandit gang they had happened to encounter on the way.

Now, they sat in the princess's private sitting room, catching up on all the news they had missed out on in the year since they had last visited.
Amelia sat with her arm looped around Zelgadis's waist. The two were engaged, and due to be married in just over a year's time, on the day of Amelia's coronation, Lina learnt.

"Well, it's about time you two settled on a date!" She had exclaimed "It's been six damn months since you decided that marriage was actually a good idea!"

"And what about you and Mister Gourry?" Amelia asked, casually, tilting her head slightly to see if she could catch a glimpse of anything shiny adorning Lina's hand "Any news?"

"Oh, the usual - we've been travelling, doing our civic duty to clear the roads of nasty, dirty bandit gangs. Nothing new, really." Lina's voice was chirpy.

"I don't think that was actually what Amelia meant, Lina." Zel's tone was amused, and distinctly sarcastic. Lina blushed and changed the subject "I have no idea what you're talking about, Zel. Which brings me neatly around to the question of why you asked us here, Amelia."

"What! How on earth does that bring you to … " Zel began, annoyed at Lina's characteristic dodge, but Amelia quieted him with a firm hand on his arm.

"Well, you see, after my coronation I'll be primarily tied down to Seyruun, apart from official diplomatic visits. I want to go adventuring one last time – take to the road and be free again, fighting to spread justice and honour among the people of the land!"

She looked down at Lina from her perch, standing on the arm of the plush velvet sofa where her brief foray into a justice speech had taken her "And I want you, Miss Lina and Mister Gourry, to accompany me!" Smiling warmly, she added, "If you'd like to, of course. Otherwise Zelgadis and I will go by ourselves."

Lina grinned at the princess and turned to her travelling partner "What do you think, Gourry? Have them join us, just like good ol' times?"

Gourry's clear blue eyes met her burning red ones and, as always, she felt her heart involuntarily flutter in her chest, just as it did every time he looked at her. 'Gods,' she thought 'It's been five years! You'd have thought I'd be used to it by now!'

She realised that Gourry was speaking, "… better. Don't you think, Lina?"

"Um—" she had the decency to look embarrassed "What was that, Gourry? My mind must have … wandered."

Zel looked sideways at her "He said that he thinks if we joined you, you'd be able to stay in nicer inns and sleep and eat better."

"Ah!" Lina nodded, "Yes. Very good point, Jellyfish." 'Not to mention –' she added silently to herself 'They might ease the tension …' She looked over at Amelia again "I assume the House of Seyruun will be picking up the tab?"

"Well … uh …" The princess was rightfully nervous "I suppose so …"

"GREAT!" Lina said, enthusiastically "It'll be just like old times!"

"Mmm," Gourry looked thoughtful "If it's exactly like old times, doesn't that mean that another dark lord or demon will try and destroy the world or kill us? I wouldn't like that, Lina …"

Lina snorted "If anyone or anything was planning to take over the world, or kill us or whatever, they'd have done it by now! Why would they wait until we'd all got back together in a group again when we've been in easily defeatable portions for the last two years. Everything'll be just fine, guys. We have nothing to worry about …"

Miles away, in a place not quite of this world, a pair of mocking amethyst eyes shone through a heavy haze of cigarette smoke. Kneeling reverently, Xelloss listened intently to his Lady Beastmaster's latest set of orders and smiled. Oh, but this would be fun...

Author's Note:

Okay. There we have it, the prologue. As I said before, this is going to get nasty, and will eventually deal with rape and the aftermath. Should eventually have a happy ending, but I can't make any promises – the story's in control here, not me. Although the way it's looking at the moment, this is going to be LONG …
Overall, this is a Lina/Gourry fic. I wouldn't have it any other way. There'll be Ame/Zel in there, too, but I'm focussing on the L/G pairing, because I love it!

If you review, you'll make my month and I'll adore you forever, so please, do!

Vethrid