Part One: Cursed Red Shoes
Chapter One: The Evil Witch
"Oh yeah this is the life Gourry," Lina says as she blasts away the last of the pirates. The air is calm, the sky is a brilliant blue and the smell of roasting pirates is close by. Yes, nothing can take away the feeling of accomplishment living in Lina at this moment. "Nothing like stealing treasure and blowing things up to make a perfect day."
"Yeah! And look at all the food they have!" Gourry says as he grabs a chicken leg out of a charred pirate's hand.
Beautiful days on the high seas are hard to come by, but not off the coast of Ralteague. At least it can be considered a beautiful day by those celebrating victory this day. For the pirates it was a beautiful day before Lina showed up. The two carnage inducing companions are still on their endless quest to find Gourry a new sword, while taking down anyone resembling a bandit along the way. It has only been a couple of months since they confronted Rezo's ghost, but it might as well have been a life time ago. Not much has changed and it probably never will until the next evil monster shows his face.
"Save some for me!" Lina says as she tramples over the charred bodies of several pirates.
As the two engulf the delicious meal, they are completely unaware that someone is watching them from afar. A smiling priest is on a quest and he is debating as to whether or not he should involve the fiery sorceress. Perhaps he will wait just a bit longer since he has other places to be.
"Well I guess those rumors turned out to be false," Lina says between bites. "Although I'm not surprised. Amelia would never allow herself to be kidnapped by a bunch of pirates."
Lina's excuse for coming after the pirates is not only because they are the sea fairing cousins of the bandit ilk, but she is investigation a rumor claiming that the Princess of Seyruun has been kidnapped by afore mentioned fierce pirates. It is also rumored that there is a huge reward for finding and saving the princess. Even if Amelia isn't here, that will not stop Lina from trying to collect the reward on the pirates anyway, at least the ones who are still alive.
"So where do you think Amelia is?" Gourry asks as he steals a bite of octopus from Lina's platter. It probably isn't a good idea starting a fire on the open deck of the ship to cook a meal, but they are starving and even if they weren't it would stop them.
"She probably just snuck out of the palace and went on a date with Zelgadis," Lina say as she wrestles the octopus away from Gourry.
"I don't think she would leave home in secret though," Gourry says thoughtfully. "She's a responsible person."
Lina doesn't say anything to counter Gourry's logical response. He is right after all, but she still cannot believe that her princess friend could be kidnapped anyway.
After finishing their meal, Lina and Gourry manage to steer the vessel towards the port. This endeavor is quite difficult with only two people, but they manage. The sorcerer genius has a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to forcing men and boats into submission.
When they reach Ralteague they collect a reward for the capture of the pirates and make their way to the town's central plaza. Once there, the two look at the various wanted posters littering the wall, searching for any 'Wanted Bandit' posters and other such rewarding endeavors. The likely hood of bandits showing up again is a stretch, but Lina is still hopeful that her favorite pastime will rear its ugly head eventually.
"Hey Lina look at this," Gourry says, handing her a large pamphlet. "Don't we know this person? I can't shake the feeling that I know them."
Lina takes the pamphlet and whacks Gourry hard over the top of his head. "Of course we do you idiot," Lina screams at him. "We were just talking about her a couple of hours ago!"
"Oh I guess I forgot what Amelia looked like," Gourry says sheepishly.
"Why do I even waste my energy," Lina says as she studies the paper again. Apparently Amelia being kidnapped is no rumor, not with such a large reward and a royal seal to back it up.
It doesn't make sense to Lina though. Amelia is not the kind of princess who cannot take care of herself. Something doesn't smell right. She reads the bottom of the page which reports that the princess was last seen in Femille after a successful meeting with the monarchy there. Lina tries to hide a grimace from her face as she remembers the all women city that really wasn't.
Lina eyes the reward again.
"Gourry I think I just found another way to get rich quick!" Lina says as she plants her hands proudly of her hips.
"So you think she's really kidnapped," Gourry asks in concern.
"Of course not, but that doesn't mean we can't go find her and claim that we rescued her from the clutches of evil," Lina says with a wicked giggle.
Gourry cannot shake the growing unease in his heart. "Whatever you say Lina," he says instead.
In several days time they reach the gates of Femille, but they do not step foot within the city grounds. Even though the policy has changed concerning the strict gender regulations, Lina cannot succeed in getting Gourry into the town. For a man with a terrible memory some things just cannot be forgotten. They settle on asking people who are traveling in and out of the city questions about Amelia.
No one at first knows much, only making idle small talk about how wonderful the princess is, leaving Lina feeling like she is wasting her valuable time. Eventually they meet a tradesman who has frequented the town since Amelia's successful treaty with the country and he provides Lina with enough information to satisfy.
"I heard that the princess of Seyruun has gone missing," the man reports to a tired Lina. "Actually the young prince Miwan has gone missing as well."
"Really?" Lina feels no need to hide her shock on this account. Two nobles gone missing at the same time has suspicion written all over it.
"Yes, he recently finished his studies as a priest in Seyruun," the man says. "But he never made it back to Femille, he was suppose to have arrived here nigh a week ago I believe. Both Seyruun and Femille are working together to find their lost heirs and both realize that the other is not responsible."
"Well at least they're smart enough to avoid jumping to stupid conclusion just for the heck of it," Lina says thoughtfully.
The man nods and risks getting a little closer to Lina. She tries not to act bothered by his sudden friendliness and lowers her head towards him as he begins to whisper. "I actually hear that they aren't the only royals to disappear," the man says softly. "Rumor has it that the queen of Zoana, the idol singers MeMe and NayNay, along with head priestesses from various temples have also disappeared."
"Huh? Really? . . . But with the exception of Martina none of those people can be considered royalty, and Martina is a stretch too!" Lina says as she leans back into her private thought. She is slightly annoyance at the man's sudden lack of common sense. "There is no way that being a famous pop singer makes you royalty. And priestesses are a dime a dozen."
The man shrugs. "But that's the rumor going around," he says solemnly. "I don't know if this has any connection to your princess friend, but I find it curious none the less. And all of the kidnappings have taken place over the past week. Some say that it's a witches doing."
Lina does not know what to make of all this, but she's heard enough. She wants to leave before the man possibly starts telling her random rumors about priests and lords.
"Well, thanks for the information," Lina says and she races off to find Gourry. The information she has gleaned isn't much, but it is better than nothing, even if it is all just rumors. The only other connection Lina can figure from the man's story is that all the people being kidnapped are girls, but this theory is squandered considering the fact that Miwan is actually a guy.
Unless . . .
Do people still think he's a girl?
"What a waste of time," Lina says to Gourry, who is currently crouching low in a very inconspicuous way. "Um Gourry, why are you hiding behind a bush?"
Without asking permission, Gourry grabs Lina, clasping a hand over her mouth as he forces her to hide with him behind the bush. Lina blushes furiously and is quickly overcome with anger at being forced to do something she doesn't understand.
"Shh, that woman is looking this way," Gourry says softly.
Lina stops her squirming long enough to study the woman Gourry is referring too. Startling enough, Lina immediately recognizes the woman. The woman is dressed in regal clothing and has short green hair, befitting of a witch. Noticing Lina's change of interest, Gourry let's go of Lina and continues to watch the woman.
"Do you remember who she is," Lina asks Gourry in shock. The last time they saw this woman was four years ago.
"No, but I know she's bad," Gourry says seriously.
Fighting back her need to sock him in the jaw, Lina tells Gourry who the woman is. "That is Carry the Witch," Lina says softly. "She forces men to marry her daughters for their wealth. I never thought we'd see her again."
As they watch Carry, Lina can easily tell that the woman is frustrated. She starts barking orders at her cabby driver, who is covered from head to foot, as she prepares to leave the city.
"Let's follow her Gourry," Lina says.
"Why?"
"Because rumor has it that a witch is on the loose again," Lina says with a grin. She grabs Gourry by the shoulders and as Carry's carriage rolls away Lina casts a Ray Wing. With great skill, Lina manages to land Gourry and herself on top of the carriage, as it goes speeding along the road.
"Lina, is this a good idea," Gourry says as loudly as he dares while clutching the top of the cart and holding on for their dear lives.
"Call it a woman's intuition," Lina says. "But I have a feeling that Carry is up to some more of her marriage crap again. I think Miwan is her next target."
Gourry doesn't really remember the events surrounding Carry all that well so he only nods and decides to simple trust Lina on this one. He hasn't died yet, so he has no reason not to trust Lina.
His trust is blind. Even though she has used him as a bowling ball on bandits and bait when fighting mutant squids he still follows her around. Hopefully the reason is because he doesn't remember. If he does remember, it only proves yet again how much of a lovable idiot Gourry really is.
"Besides," Lina says continuing her monologue. "This woman is filthy rich and shouldn't be out where people like me can find her." The young red head smiles brightly, even if this isn't a lead to find Amelia it doesn't matter. Either way, Lina will make it worth her while.
By the time they reach Carry's mansion it is past midnight and Lina is freezing to death. On tip toe they follow Carry into her luxurious home as she heads towards a room that looks to be the study.
The main hall branches off into two wings with two stories and elaborate stair cases reaching towards them. At the back of the entryway there are several elegant doors leading off to what Lina assumes are the dinning area's and places for entertain guests.
Slamming the door shut behind her the witch exits into the study and begins to carry on an aggressive conversation with someone. Either someone is in the room with Carry or she is talking to herself. Carry never screams or shouts at her victim, but the irritated vehemence in her tone is clear.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Gourry says again, as they hide themselves next to two potted plants near the room Carry has just disappeared into. The pots are huge and Gourry looks dwarfed in comparison as he hunches next to the large decor.
"Shhhhh!" Lina hushes Gourry.
" . . . you both had this coming," Carry says hotly. "I'll give you one more chance before the curse becomes permanent. Miwan is to promise his hand in marriage to my youngest daughter or face the consequences for his actions. What is your answer?"
Lina strains her ears to hear the muffled and hesitant reply of a timid young man. "Your daughter is very lovely, but I do not love her."
"Speak up," Carry says. "It doesn't matter to me whether or not you love her. Will you marry her or not."
"Mister Miwan will never give in to your wicked demands," the familiar voice of Amelia shouts. Lina can tell that a justice speech is about to erupt from her mouth. "He has rightly promised his heart to the one he loves. Even though this couple has yet to meet, I'm sure Mister Miwan's righteous decision will be justly honored for his sacrifice."
"But Princess Amelia," Miwan says softly. "If I do not agree, your life, and the other's lives, will be miserable. Moreover, the fault will all be mine. I do not wish to be the cause of your imprisonment."
"Don't worry about it Mister Miwan," Amelia says gently. "You asked for my help and I will gladly give it. It doesn't matter what Misses Carry does. My thirst for justice will not be quenched."
"I don't care what your opinions may be Princess," Carry says tartly. "Prince Miwan, please answer the question."
A long pause follows and Lina motions towards Gourry. At her signal they are going to attack.
"My answer is no," Miwan says in a stern soft voice.
"FIREBALL!" Lina screams as Gourry and her burst through the door.
Amelia grabs Miwan and lunges for the floor as the fire spell flies across the room towards Carry. With a smile the witch easily deflects the attack and casts a shadow snap spell, flinging knives at them as she does so.
"Lighting!" Lina says quickly, successfully breaking the paralysis shadow that threatened to bind her and Gourry.
Swinging his sword in a wide arch, Gourry attempts to pin Carry in the corner of the room without hurting her. Since she is without a weapon, Gourry does not want to accidently slice her open. Without flinching, Carry sends a wind blast at Gourry forcing him to stand his ground as she sends a curse his way.
Even without hearing the words Lina can recognize a curse when she sees it.
Lina tries to reach him before this mysterious curse can affect Gourry, but she is glued to the ground and cannot move. Searching with her eyes Lina is shocked to find another Shadow Snap spell keeping her captive. Apparently Carry sent the knife at Lina when she cast the wind spell at Gourry. Lina was too concerned about Gourry to have noticed.
"I've improved since our last encounter Lina," Carry says, and with a snap of her long nailed fingers Lina falls on her face as Gourry's mouth opens wide in a silent scream.
"Gourry!" Lina says as she tries to cast another lighting spell, but it fails as Carry slams her pointed heel into Lina's head. Her world goes dark for a moment and by the time Lina comes to, her hands are tied behind her back and she is gagged.
She is also wearing red dancing shoes.
Authors Note: And thus begins the story I once referred to as 'The Twelve Dancing Slayers,' but I had to change the name due to plot changes. This is the first story I've written that incorporates two parts. The first part of this story will be from Lina's perspective as one of the 'Twelve Princess'. The second half will be someone else, which I will elaborate upon at a later time. This is a very short story, only twenty-seven thousand words in all, and I hope you will enjoy it.