AN: Alright, Miwako got the riddle! You're good, it took me three weeks to
get it, I had to do it for school, you know when do you ever use riddles in
your life I ask you? My teacher is weird.............
Chapter 6
**Frimbring Offering**
******** MINA ********
We were all thoughtful. Humm, what could this riddle mean?
"Riddles." Ami finally answered. We all looked at her.
"Riddles?" Darien asked bluntly.
"Yeah, riddles are flowery words meant to befuddle people, and life is full of riddles." She explained logically.
"Well, try it out. It says here to knock three times on the door and say your answer." Kunzite said annoyed, and raised a hand. He clearly knocked three times on the door. We waited in silence.
"ANSWER." Came the willowy reply of the riddle master or what ever you call him.
"Riddles." Ami said. We braced ourselves and soon, the ground shook and soon, the cave wall opened.
"Alright! We got it!" I exclaimed. Darien and Kunzite stepped in before us to scout things out. I resisted rolling my eyes, even here, men had to prove their toughness.
"All clear." Kunzite called out and we entered. A small tree with gold, bronze and silver leaves greeted us. It was in a red clay pot, ready for the taking. Lita used a levitation spell and lifted the pot over to us. Underneath the pot was a leather book. Once the pot was lowered to us, she levitated the book as well. Ami grabbed for it.
"What kind of book is this?" She asked flipping through the pages. "They're all blank." She murmured.
"What a strange book. Why is it here?" I asked, fingering the pages. Soon, the pages glowed and unreal green and there was letters on a blank page.
~I am here to be of help.~ The words said. I looked at Ami.
"What are you called?" She asked.
~I am called the Intibi book. I explain questions that the holders might ask.~ It replied.
"Then who are we?" I asked wanting to test the weird book.
~You are the chosen four the Lock Priests have chosen to bring light to the dark worlds.~
"What a cool book." I exclaimed and told Lita and Raye about it. They peered down in interest.
Ami snapped the small book closed and shoved it in her side pouch. "Come on, we better go. I don't like the feeling of this place now." I looked around, feeling the dark energy radiating over us. I put a protective hand over Serena's blonde head and we all hurried out of the cave. Soon, the walls began to shake.
"It's collapsing!" Kunzite yelled looking around us.
We all began to run. Rocks started falling behind us, gaining closer and closer as we made our way out of the narrow passage. Serena started crying. Up ahead, we saw the light of the entrance. Almost there, almost there, almost there, almost there. I chanted over and over in my head. I forced myself to keep running although my lungs were burning and black dots swam into my vision. Dirt was burning my eyes and it rained down in my hair. Lita grabbed my arm and pulled me with her. We all dashed out of the cave and landed on our knees on the powdery dirt. I looked back to see the whole cave being sucked down into some kind of sinking sand. The ground rumbled and I scooted further away from it. My heart beat rapidly, adrenaline was still running through my blood. Serena was wailing at the top of her lungs. The sound had me wincing.
"Make her stop." Darien gasped, clutching his head. He was incredibly pale.
"What's wrong Darien?" Kunzite crawled over to his friend.
"It hurts when she cries. Make her stop." He rasped. I looked at him oddly, wondering why he was hurting.
"Shhh, Serena." I calmed her down and patted her on her small back. She quieted, and let out a little sniff here and there. I watched in amazement as Darien regained his color back into his face.
"What's wrong with him?" Ami asked with a concerned look on her delicate face.
"I don't know. Are you alright Dare?" Kunzite asked, helping his friend up. Cold to us and warm to one another. What defenses. Darien nodded, looking curiously at the baby.
"Who is she?" He asked me. I looked at Ami, and she nodded.
"Her name is Serena. She is heir to Mauveland, daughter of the Goddess of Heart and the late King Xander of Mauveland." The formal introduction escaped my mouth. I gasped and put a hand over my mouth. Where did that come from?
"She is the lost heir?" Kunzite asked a little taken back.
"I guess." I said with a shrug.
*"Will you all stop and tell me what is going on here?"* Raye exploded. Oh yeah, I forgot about those two.
*"Sorry Raye."* I said and gave her a small smile. Ami and I told her and Lita what was up and the nodded in understanding.
*"I need a bath."* Lita moaned and stood up.
*"We all do."* Ami said and wrinkled her nose.
"Why don't you all come with Kunzite and I? We know this quaint little village not to far away. We could go rest there." Darien suggested after Ami and I told then what the others said. They all readily agreed and we all found our horses and rode off to find it. It was huddled against a cliff, hidden behind a drapery of green trees. The inn they were talking about reminded me of an old western saloon with rickety old tables. Some one played an instrument that looked like a piano.
"Ladies." Some one said behind us. Ami and I turned around and saw two young men with green hair and purple eyes looking at us. They had pointy ears, like an elf or something. Their feet were big, hairy and bare with thick toenails that reminded me of talons or some thing. They seriously needed a pedicure. "Such a sweet looking child. She looks angelic right Kapri?" The taller one said elbowing his partner in the side. Kapri grunted in response. I backed away, holding Serena closer to me.
"A great Frimbing offering." The man muttered looking hungrily at Serena.
"Leave the ladies alone, unless you want a sword through your gut." Darien threatened. The two elf looking men shot him a glare and left.
"Kunz! Dare!" Cried a female voice as soon as we entered a small inn. Two busty serving maids made their way to greet the two.
"Ah, Emma, Gracie, how are you two?" Kunzite said and took a step back from them. I felt his discomfort. Why would he feel that way, it was obvious that the two maids were hinting at the company they could offer. Any warm blooded man would jump into such a welcoming embrace. Were they gay? I frowned. It would be a shame if they were, because despite his rather frosty nature, Kunzite was an interesting person. Almost like a puzzle that I was dying to figure out.
"We need rooms for a day." Darien said gruffly. They nodded and run upstairs.
*"Using his fairy prince power is he?"* Raye snickered.
*"I don't care. I just want to get the musky smell of decayed bones off of my skin."* Lita said and stomped upstairs after them.
Later that night, after I had put Serena asleep, I settled in my soft bed, praying that there weren't unsightly bugs in the blanket. My slumber was interrupted by a loud crash. I sat up in my bed, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.
"We got her! Let's go!" Someone hissed. I scrambled out of bed.
"Serena!" I cried and ran after the kidnappers. Fear had me running fast, ignoring the things I bumped into. I could hear Serena crying out in fright. Tears threatened, but I refused to let them take over. I ran down the stairs and launched my self at the one close to me, while hitting my leg on a sharp pointed object. I felt the course material of his jacket in my hand. It ripped and the man cursed, but twisted out of my hold. He left me on my knees.
"Someone stop them! They have my baby!" I screamed. People peeked out of their rooms.
*"Mina! What happened? Where is Serena?"* Raye demanded kneeling beside me. I felt hysteria rise up in me and I let out a little laugh.
*"They took her."* I said softly, pointing to the open door. My leg was killing me. *"They took her."*
******** DARIEN ********
I watched Mina faint in Raye's arms.
"Someone call a doctor!" Ami yelled. I looked past the scene to the open door. Who could have stolen a helpless baby? She was so pure and good, there was something special about her, and I felt it when I laid eyes on her. The whole inn was in an uproar; even the chosen four looked helpless.
"Dare, look." Kunzite held up a brown cloak.
"It was the Halfer-elves." I murmured fingering the cloth.
"Didn't they say something about a Frimbing offering? What is that?" Kunzite asked. I shrugged, thinking hard.
"Frimbing Offering." A soft voice behind them said. Ami had the Intibi Book in her hand and the pages glowed.
~ A Frimbing Offering is a sacrifice made to Lord Diamond. An offering must be pure and chaste. Those who offer such a sacrifice is granted favor with Lord Diamond. Such offerings are usually female infants.~ The words blurred.
"They're going to kill the Princess." Ami gasped.
"Not if I can help it." I vowed and pivoted on my heel to go to the stables and retrieve my horse. I rode through the dark forests, following the large footprints on the muddy ground. I wasn't far behind them because I faintly heard Little Serena's cries as then bounded away. I saw them up ahead, and I dismounted. Cautiously, I crept behind a fallen trunk and peered over it. A huge bon fire was crackling in the midst of dancing Halfer-elves.
"The Frimbing Offering has arrived! Brothers and Sisters, prepare the alter!" Cried an elderly halfer-elf. He was dressed in green robes. His tangled white hair was pulled back into a ponytail. His mad eyes flashed bright pink. The other halfer-elves chanted while they brought a flat rock and scarves from the side. They propped it on a bundle of stacked wood pieces. I silently counted how many there were. A bit out matched, but I pulled out my sword anyway. A heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder and I spun, with my sword poised for attack.
"Calm down Dare, it's just us." Kunzite whispered to me and kneeled down beside me. Ami and Lita were with him. "Raye stayed with Mina." Kunzite explained. I nodded and turned back to the ritual.
When the alter was finished, the halfer-elves I saw at the inn placed the squealing bundle on it. The elderly halfer-elf picked up a chalice that was placed on a pedestal beside him. "With my blood, I bless this offering!" He cried out. A servant halfer-elf gave the elder a shiny silver knife.
"The Intibi book said that after the offering is blessed by the elder, there will be a trance period. We should get her then. I don't want to take any chances." Ami whispered to them. "Lita will cast a flash spell, it should blind them, then you go get her. Kunzite and I will cover for you." Ami touched my arm, sending a silent message, giving me her trust. I nodded slowly and we turned back to the ritual. Serena's cries were affecting me more then I wanted to let on. Every ragged cry tore a deep crater in my heart and my head was throbbing. It seemed the further away I was, the less affected I was. I didn't know why I felt so connected with the small baby, but I knew, deep down that I would risk anything for her. And so I silently seethed and waited. The elder halfer-elf held his cut hand over the golden chalice. His grayish-green blood poured freely into the shallow cup. The other halfer-elves's chants grew low and more serious. Red lightning flashed across the dark sky and winds whipped all around them, pulling at the halfer-elves robes. A blot of lightning hit the cup and the blood boiled and then stilled.
"Oh mighty Diamond, hear our prayer and take this Frimbing Offering and grant us favor in your dark world!" He cried to the sky. "And with this blessing, the offering will be pure." He tilted the cup over Serena's head. The thick liquid splashed on her and tainted her blonde hair. Another bloodcurdling scream escaped her mouth and her small fists waved angrily in the air. My head throbbed even more and I felt bile rise in my throat. The humming stopped and we all moved into action. Lita's spell flashed when all the halfer-elves bowed in a trance. Even the elder elf was suspended in time, looking down at Serena blankly. The trance was short, but I had enough time to grab Serena off the alter. Kunzite, Lita and Ami covered me as I ran to my waiting horse.
"Go go go!" Kunzite yelled and I kicked my horse into a run. There were shouts of protest behind us. I summoned my own power. It tingled along my long fingers and a sparkly beam of red magic blasted out of my finger tips.
"What was that?" Ami asked, riding up beside me.
"A confusion mist." I told her smugly and we rode off to the inn. Serena hiccupped and sniffed back her tears. I looked down and felt my heart jerk at the ghastly picture she made. Her face and head was covered with the slimy blood, only her blue eyes peeked out at him.
"It's okay now." I murmured and picked up one of her small hands and kissed her soft baby skin. She smiled up at me in innocent mirth. Yes, I would risk anything.
******** AMI ********
I knew Prince Darien had a soft heart when it came to Serena. I watched the whole exchange between them with a smile.
*"This has been a big day."* Lita said and I had to agree.
*"Are they always going to be this eventful?"* I asked with a giggle as we rode up to the inn. Raye waited for us outside.
*"Oh you got her. I'm so glad!"* She cried out and ran up to our horses. I slid off and let the stable boy take it away. Darien stood to the side of me, with Serena in his protective arms. *"Mina's resting. She has a nasty gash in her thigh, but it's healing pretty quickly. She should be all better in the morning."* Lita stumbled to my side, leaning on me for support.
*"I need rest."* She said and I nodded. Since Lita and I weren't masters of our powers yet, we always felt drained and sleepy after we used them. Even now, the pinch of dreariness was nagging at my body. I knew soon that I would faint if I didn't get to a bed. Raye escorted us to our rooms and Lita and I collapsed.
******** DARIEN ********
Did they forget about Serena? I followed them in to their rooms and saw them drop dead on their beds, snoring softly. I looked at Kunzite and he shrugged. We didn't know what to say to Raye since we didn't speak the same language, but Kunzite and I followed her hand movements and we went into another room. Mina was sleeping in the next room, but when we ended up by her side, her eyes fluttered open.
"Oh you have her. Thank you." She said and held out her hands. Reluctantly, I handed her over. Mina's eyes watered as she ran a smooth finger over the dried blood. "She needs a bath." Mina said in almost a whisper. Her strength was waning on her and I grabbed Serena before she slipped off the blankets. Raye looked at me and pointed to the washing bowl on a dresser.
"Me?" I asked, backing away. She pointed a finger and said something in the unknown language they sometimes spoke to one another.
"She said you have to bathe her so she can watch me." Mina spoke up, forcing her self to stay awake.
"But, I don't know how to bathe a baby!" I protested. Raye muttered something and Mina laughed softly.
"She said do it or she'll have to kick your ass." Mina yawned and then settled back into her bed. Raye shook a threatening hand and summoned her sword.
"I'll help." Kunzite almost growled and pushed me to the wash bin. We ordered some warm water be brought to us. With unsure hands, I stripped her of her dirty clothes picked up her bare body. She squirmed and kicked her legs out.
"Hurry, before she catches a cold." Kunzite said and I lowered her into the water. Kunzite held her up and handed me a sponge. She watched me the whole time as I dipped and rained the water down her soft head. The blood turned the water green and we hand to change it three times before we were done. The soap that Mina had brought along with her smelled sweetly of roses.
"There, all done." I said proudly seeing that she didn't drown. Kunzite held out a small square of cloth and pins with a smirk. Damnit. The diaper was put on sloppily and Raye had to come and help. I saw a small birthmark on Serena's hip that looked like a crescent moon. She left the dressing to us which was another challenge. But the time we were finished Serena was crying because she was hungry. I almost keeled over at the pain that exploded behind my eyes. I put a hand up to my head, fighting the sickness in the pit of my stomach. What was wrong with me? Why did this always happen when she cried?
"Here." Kunzite handed me a glass looking think with a strange top. Blindly, I gave it to her and she sucked happily. The pain faded and I breathed a sigh of relief. After about twenty minutes, her eyes started drooping and I picked her up off the dresser and finished putting her asleep. The events of the day were wearing thin on me and I stifled a yawn. Dawn's rays were peeking through the mountains far in the south. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand and Raye took Serena from me and placed her by Mina.
"Let's go get some shut eye." Kunzite said with a yawn and I went with him. "You know Dare, one day you'll make a great parent." Kunzite said to me before I fell asleep.
******** MINA ********
When I woke up, there was something resting on my arm. I looked over and saw Serena's sweet little face, still sleeping away. I vaguely remembered what happened after Darien and Kunzite left. Raye was sleeping on a chair next to my bed. Ah, good ol' Raye. She was always there for me and my cousins if we were ill or hurt. I lifted myself up and gingerly pressed a finger to my hurt leg. The bandage around it was still white and I unwrapped to see it all healed, with out a scar or anything.
"You're awake." Someone said. I sharply looked up, but Raye was still asleep and no one else was in the room. "Here Mina." I followed to voice and saw that the Goddess of Heart in a mirror. Quickly I went to her.
"How are you doing that?" I asked her, touching the cool surface of the mirror.
"All mirrors are channels of some sort. My sisters and I were just wondering how everything is going." She said.
I shrugged. "As well as can be expected. Lita and Ami are becoming stronger by the minute. There was a little incident yesterday night. Some elf looking men stole Serena and tried to offer her to Lord Diamond, but we managed to get her back."
The goddess looked concerned. "Is she alright?" She asked. I nodded and then grinned.
"She was screaming her head off in no time." I paused. "Which leads me to another thing, we met these two men yesterday while retrieving the Gilded Tree. Both are princes. Darien is a fairy prince and Kunzite claims to be the prince of a place called Midnight Terra." I saw something in the Goddess's eyes that told me she knew. "What?" I asked.
"I never thought you two would find each other so quickly." She finally said after a thoughtful silence.
"What do you mean?" I asked, scooting closer to the mirror.
"Well, when the Lock Priest endowed the Shay Warriors, they endowed four special souls to become their mates. These mates offer solace and power to the chosen four. Each on of them is their equal. They were saved especially for the Shay Warriors." She explained. I shook my head.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that Darien and Kunzite were chosen to partner with us?"
"No, just Kunzite. Kunzite was chosen to partner with you Mina. Was there anything that struck you as odd when you touched at anytime?" I thought back to the time in the Zanzim cave and nodded.
"It felt like power when we shook hands." I said softly. The Goddess nodded.
"He was meant to be your partner."
"Does he know this?"
"He should. Every partner chosen knew of their destiny."
"And he was saved for me? What do you mean by that?"
"He was saved, mind, spirit, and body especially for you and you alone." She told me. A million questions ran through my mind, but one had me gasping.
"Are you saying he's a virgin?" I squeaked out. She nodded slowly.
"The Lock Priests put a spell on them that restricted them from ever bedding another woman but one of the Shay Warriors. Every time a woman desired him, and he her, the spell would be inflicted and they couldn't act on their desire." So that was why Kunzite was uncomfortable around the serving wenches last night. "You must consummate the meeting, only then will he be granted his powers. With his help, you and the others will be a powerful force."
"Consummate?" I squeaked again, feeling a blush run up my cheeks. She wants me to sleep with a total stranger? How could I do that? I was never one to jump into bed, despite what my cousins might think. Sure, I had a million boyfriends, and I did sleep with some of them, but they had all been.........broken in.
"Mina, you have to do this. He knows this and now you do. Please, for my daughter." She pleaded. I winced. Sure, use Serena to sucker me in. She sure knows what strings to pull.
"How am I going to go about this? I never seduced anyone. They usually came to me." I said a little smugly.
"You have my power. It's about time you learn how to use it. You will have to soon." She said logically.
I ran a hand through my thick blonde hair and blew a strand of bangs out of my face. "Well, I guess I could try."
"Not try, do." The Goddess said stubbornly. Sheesh.
"Alright alright." I cried and held my hands out to defend myself from her burning gaze. She relaxed and smiled.
"Good. I will contact you when you're finished. And please Mina, do it sometime before you return to Mauveland." She said and shimmied away. I sat back and pouted. This was going to be a challenge.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
AN: Next chapter, 'Mina's Virgin' will be up next. Can you imagine Kunzite as a virgin? Even had me giggling as I wrote it....... Review please, tell me how you like it so far.........
Chapter 6
**Frimbring Offering**
******** MINA ********
We were all thoughtful. Humm, what could this riddle mean?
"Riddles." Ami finally answered. We all looked at her.
"Riddles?" Darien asked bluntly.
"Yeah, riddles are flowery words meant to befuddle people, and life is full of riddles." She explained logically.
"Well, try it out. It says here to knock three times on the door and say your answer." Kunzite said annoyed, and raised a hand. He clearly knocked three times on the door. We waited in silence.
"ANSWER." Came the willowy reply of the riddle master or what ever you call him.
"Riddles." Ami said. We braced ourselves and soon, the ground shook and soon, the cave wall opened.
"Alright! We got it!" I exclaimed. Darien and Kunzite stepped in before us to scout things out. I resisted rolling my eyes, even here, men had to prove their toughness.
"All clear." Kunzite called out and we entered. A small tree with gold, bronze and silver leaves greeted us. It was in a red clay pot, ready for the taking. Lita used a levitation spell and lifted the pot over to us. Underneath the pot was a leather book. Once the pot was lowered to us, she levitated the book as well. Ami grabbed for it.
"What kind of book is this?" She asked flipping through the pages. "They're all blank." She murmured.
"What a strange book. Why is it here?" I asked, fingering the pages. Soon, the pages glowed and unreal green and there was letters on a blank page.
~I am here to be of help.~ The words said. I looked at Ami.
"What are you called?" She asked.
~I am called the Intibi book. I explain questions that the holders might ask.~ It replied.
"Then who are we?" I asked wanting to test the weird book.
~You are the chosen four the Lock Priests have chosen to bring light to the dark worlds.~
"What a cool book." I exclaimed and told Lita and Raye about it. They peered down in interest.
Ami snapped the small book closed and shoved it in her side pouch. "Come on, we better go. I don't like the feeling of this place now." I looked around, feeling the dark energy radiating over us. I put a protective hand over Serena's blonde head and we all hurried out of the cave. Soon, the walls began to shake.
"It's collapsing!" Kunzite yelled looking around us.
We all began to run. Rocks started falling behind us, gaining closer and closer as we made our way out of the narrow passage. Serena started crying. Up ahead, we saw the light of the entrance. Almost there, almost there, almost there, almost there. I chanted over and over in my head. I forced myself to keep running although my lungs were burning and black dots swam into my vision. Dirt was burning my eyes and it rained down in my hair. Lita grabbed my arm and pulled me with her. We all dashed out of the cave and landed on our knees on the powdery dirt. I looked back to see the whole cave being sucked down into some kind of sinking sand. The ground rumbled and I scooted further away from it. My heart beat rapidly, adrenaline was still running through my blood. Serena was wailing at the top of her lungs. The sound had me wincing.
"Make her stop." Darien gasped, clutching his head. He was incredibly pale.
"What's wrong Darien?" Kunzite crawled over to his friend.
"It hurts when she cries. Make her stop." He rasped. I looked at him oddly, wondering why he was hurting.
"Shhh, Serena." I calmed her down and patted her on her small back. She quieted, and let out a little sniff here and there. I watched in amazement as Darien regained his color back into his face.
"What's wrong with him?" Ami asked with a concerned look on her delicate face.
"I don't know. Are you alright Dare?" Kunzite asked, helping his friend up. Cold to us and warm to one another. What defenses. Darien nodded, looking curiously at the baby.
"Who is she?" He asked me. I looked at Ami, and she nodded.
"Her name is Serena. She is heir to Mauveland, daughter of the Goddess of Heart and the late King Xander of Mauveland." The formal introduction escaped my mouth. I gasped and put a hand over my mouth. Where did that come from?
"She is the lost heir?" Kunzite asked a little taken back.
"I guess." I said with a shrug.
*"Will you all stop and tell me what is going on here?"* Raye exploded. Oh yeah, I forgot about those two.
*"Sorry Raye."* I said and gave her a small smile. Ami and I told her and Lita what was up and the nodded in understanding.
*"I need a bath."* Lita moaned and stood up.
*"We all do."* Ami said and wrinkled her nose.
"Why don't you all come with Kunzite and I? We know this quaint little village not to far away. We could go rest there." Darien suggested after Ami and I told then what the others said. They all readily agreed and we all found our horses and rode off to find it. It was huddled against a cliff, hidden behind a drapery of green trees. The inn they were talking about reminded me of an old western saloon with rickety old tables. Some one played an instrument that looked like a piano.
"Ladies." Some one said behind us. Ami and I turned around and saw two young men with green hair and purple eyes looking at us. They had pointy ears, like an elf or something. Their feet were big, hairy and bare with thick toenails that reminded me of talons or some thing. They seriously needed a pedicure. "Such a sweet looking child. She looks angelic right Kapri?" The taller one said elbowing his partner in the side. Kapri grunted in response. I backed away, holding Serena closer to me.
"A great Frimbing offering." The man muttered looking hungrily at Serena.
"Leave the ladies alone, unless you want a sword through your gut." Darien threatened. The two elf looking men shot him a glare and left.
"Kunz! Dare!" Cried a female voice as soon as we entered a small inn. Two busty serving maids made their way to greet the two.
"Ah, Emma, Gracie, how are you two?" Kunzite said and took a step back from them. I felt his discomfort. Why would he feel that way, it was obvious that the two maids were hinting at the company they could offer. Any warm blooded man would jump into such a welcoming embrace. Were they gay? I frowned. It would be a shame if they were, because despite his rather frosty nature, Kunzite was an interesting person. Almost like a puzzle that I was dying to figure out.
"We need rooms for a day." Darien said gruffly. They nodded and run upstairs.
*"Using his fairy prince power is he?"* Raye snickered.
*"I don't care. I just want to get the musky smell of decayed bones off of my skin."* Lita said and stomped upstairs after them.
Later that night, after I had put Serena asleep, I settled in my soft bed, praying that there weren't unsightly bugs in the blanket. My slumber was interrupted by a loud crash. I sat up in my bed, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.
"We got her! Let's go!" Someone hissed. I scrambled out of bed.
"Serena!" I cried and ran after the kidnappers. Fear had me running fast, ignoring the things I bumped into. I could hear Serena crying out in fright. Tears threatened, but I refused to let them take over. I ran down the stairs and launched my self at the one close to me, while hitting my leg on a sharp pointed object. I felt the course material of his jacket in my hand. It ripped and the man cursed, but twisted out of my hold. He left me on my knees.
"Someone stop them! They have my baby!" I screamed. People peeked out of their rooms.
*"Mina! What happened? Where is Serena?"* Raye demanded kneeling beside me. I felt hysteria rise up in me and I let out a little laugh.
*"They took her."* I said softly, pointing to the open door. My leg was killing me. *"They took her."*
******** DARIEN ********
I watched Mina faint in Raye's arms.
"Someone call a doctor!" Ami yelled. I looked past the scene to the open door. Who could have stolen a helpless baby? She was so pure and good, there was something special about her, and I felt it when I laid eyes on her. The whole inn was in an uproar; even the chosen four looked helpless.
"Dare, look." Kunzite held up a brown cloak.
"It was the Halfer-elves." I murmured fingering the cloth.
"Didn't they say something about a Frimbing offering? What is that?" Kunzite asked. I shrugged, thinking hard.
"Frimbing Offering." A soft voice behind them said. Ami had the Intibi Book in her hand and the pages glowed.
~ A Frimbing Offering is a sacrifice made to Lord Diamond. An offering must be pure and chaste. Those who offer such a sacrifice is granted favor with Lord Diamond. Such offerings are usually female infants.~ The words blurred.
"They're going to kill the Princess." Ami gasped.
"Not if I can help it." I vowed and pivoted on my heel to go to the stables and retrieve my horse. I rode through the dark forests, following the large footprints on the muddy ground. I wasn't far behind them because I faintly heard Little Serena's cries as then bounded away. I saw them up ahead, and I dismounted. Cautiously, I crept behind a fallen trunk and peered over it. A huge bon fire was crackling in the midst of dancing Halfer-elves.
"The Frimbing Offering has arrived! Brothers and Sisters, prepare the alter!" Cried an elderly halfer-elf. He was dressed in green robes. His tangled white hair was pulled back into a ponytail. His mad eyes flashed bright pink. The other halfer-elves chanted while they brought a flat rock and scarves from the side. They propped it on a bundle of stacked wood pieces. I silently counted how many there were. A bit out matched, but I pulled out my sword anyway. A heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder and I spun, with my sword poised for attack.
"Calm down Dare, it's just us." Kunzite whispered to me and kneeled down beside me. Ami and Lita were with him. "Raye stayed with Mina." Kunzite explained. I nodded and turned back to the ritual.
When the alter was finished, the halfer-elves I saw at the inn placed the squealing bundle on it. The elderly halfer-elf picked up a chalice that was placed on a pedestal beside him. "With my blood, I bless this offering!" He cried out. A servant halfer-elf gave the elder a shiny silver knife.
"The Intibi book said that after the offering is blessed by the elder, there will be a trance period. We should get her then. I don't want to take any chances." Ami whispered to them. "Lita will cast a flash spell, it should blind them, then you go get her. Kunzite and I will cover for you." Ami touched my arm, sending a silent message, giving me her trust. I nodded slowly and we turned back to the ritual. Serena's cries were affecting me more then I wanted to let on. Every ragged cry tore a deep crater in my heart and my head was throbbing. It seemed the further away I was, the less affected I was. I didn't know why I felt so connected with the small baby, but I knew, deep down that I would risk anything for her. And so I silently seethed and waited. The elder halfer-elf held his cut hand over the golden chalice. His grayish-green blood poured freely into the shallow cup. The other halfer-elves's chants grew low and more serious. Red lightning flashed across the dark sky and winds whipped all around them, pulling at the halfer-elves robes. A blot of lightning hit the cup and the blood boiled and then stilled.
"Oh mighty Diamond, hear our prayer and take this Frimbing Offering and grant us favor in your dark world!" He cried to the sky. "And with this blessing, the offering will be pure." He tilted the cup over Serena's head. The thick liquid splashed on her and tainted her blonde hair. Another bloodcurdling scream escaped her mouth and her small fists waved angrily in the air. My head throbbed even more and I felt bile rise in my throat. The humming stopped and we all moved into action. Lita's spell flashed when all the halfer-elves bowed in a trance. Even the elder elf was suspended in time, looking down at Serena blankly. The trance was short, but I had enough time to grab Serena off the alter. Kunzite, Lita and Ami covered me as I ran to my waiting horse.
"Go go go!" Kunzite yelled and I kicked my horse into a run. There were shouts of protest behind us. I summoned my own power. It tingled along my long fingers and a sparkly beam of red magic blasted out of my finger tips.
"What was that?" Ami asked, riding up beside me.
"A confusion mist." I told her smugly and we rode off to the inn. Serena hiccupped and sniffed back her tears. I looked down and felt my heart jerk at the ghastly picture she made. Her face and head was covered with the slimy blood, only her blue eyes peeked out at him.
"It's okay now." I murmured and picked up one of her small hands and kissed her soft baby skin. She smiled up at me in innocent mirth. Yes, I would risk anything.
******** AMI ********
I knew Prince Darien had a soft heart when it came to Serena. I watched the whole exchange between them with a smile.
*"This has been a big day."* Lita said and I had to agree.
*"Are they always going to be this eventful?"* I asked with a giggle as we rode up to the inn. Raye waited for us outside.
*"Oh you got her. I'm so glad!"* She cried out and ran up to our horses. I slid off and let the stable boy take it away. Darien stood to the side of me, with Serena in his protective arms. *"Mina's resting. She has a nasty gash in her thigh, but it's healing pretty quickly. She should be all better in the morning."* Lita stumbled to my side, leaning on me for support.
*"I need rest."* She said and I nodded. Since Lita and I weren't masters of our powers yet, we always felt drained and sleepy after we used them. Even now, the pinch of dreariness was nagging at my body. I knew soon that I would faint if I didn't get to a bed. Raye escorted us to our rooms and Lita and I collapsed.
******** DARIEN ********
Did they forget about Serena? I followed them in to their rooms and saw them drop dead on their beds, snoring softly. I looked at Kunzite and he shrugged. We didn't know what to say to Raye since we didn't speak the same language, but Kunzite and I followed her hand movements and we went into another room. Mina was sleeping in the next room, but when we ended up by her side, her eyes fluttered open.
"Oh you have her. Thank you." She said and held out her hands. Reluctantly, I handed her over. Mina's eyes watered as she ran a smooth finger over the dried blood. "She needs a bath." Mina said in almost a whisper. Her strength was waning on her and I grabbed Serena before she slipped off the blankets. Raye looked at me and pointed to the washing bowl on a dresser.
"Me?" I asked, backing away. She pointed a finger and said something in the unknown language they sometimes spoke to one another.
"She said you have to bathe her so she can watch me." Mina spoke up, forcing her self to stay awake.
"But, I don't know how to bathe a baby!" I protested. Raye muttered something and Mina laughed softly.
"She said do it or she'll have to kick your ass." Mina yawned and then settled back into her bed. Raye shook a threatening hand and summoned her sword.
"I'll help." Kunzite almost growled and pushed me to the wash bin. We ordered some warm water be brought to us. With unsure hands, I stripped her of her dirty clothes picked up her bare body. She squirmed and kicked her legs out.
"Hurry, before she catches a cold." Kunzite said and I lowered her into the water. Kunzite held her up and handed me a sponge. She watched me the whole time as I dipped and rained the water down her soft head. The blood turned the water green and we hand to change it three times before we were done. The soap that Mina had brought along with her smelled sweetly of roses.
"There, all done." I said proudly seeing that she didn't drown. Kunzite held out a small square of cloth and pins with a smirk. Damnit. The diaper was put on sloppily and Raye had to come and help. I saw a small birthmark on Serena's hip that looked like a crescent moon. She left the dressing to us which was another challenge. But the time we were finished Serena was crying because she was hungry. I almost keeled over at the pain that exploded behind my eyes. I put a hand up to my head, fighting the sickness in the pit of my stomach. What was wrong with me? Why did this always happen when she cried?
"Here." Kunzite handed me a glass looking think with a strange top. Blindly, I gave it to her and she sucked happily. The pain faded and I breathed a sigh of relief. After about twenty minutes, her eyes started drooping and I picked her up off the dresser and finished putting her asleep. The events of the day were wearing thin on me and I stifled a yawn. Dawn's rays were peeking through the mountains far in the south. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand and Raye took Serena from me and placed her by Mina.
"Let's go get some shut eye." Kunzite said with a yawn and I went with him. "You know Dare, one day you'll make a great parent." Kunzite said to me before I fell asleep.
******** MINA ********
When I woke up, there was something resting on my arm. I looked over and saw Serena's sweet little face, still sleeping away. I vaguely remembered what happened after Darien and Kunzite left. Raye was sleeping on a chair next to my bed. Ah, good ol' Raye. She was always there for me and my cousins if we were ill or hurt. I lifted myself up and gingerly pressed a finger to my hurt leg. The bandage around it was still white and I unwrapped to see it all healed, with out a scar or anything.
"You're awake." Someone said. I sharply looked up, but Raye was still asleep and no one else was in the room. "Here Mina." I followed to voice and saw that the Goddess of Heart in a mirror. Quickly I went to her.
"How are you doing that?" I asked her, touching the cool surface of the mirror.
"All mirrors are channels of some sort. My sisters and I were just wondering how everything is going." She said.
I shrugged. "As well as can be expected. Lita and Ami are becoming stronger by the minute. There was a little incident yesterday night. Some elf looking men stole Serena and tried to offer her to Lord Diamond, but we managed to get her back."
The goddess looked concerned. "Is she alright?" She asked. I nodded and then grinned.
"She was screaming her head off in no time." I paused. "Which leads me to another thing, we met these two men yesterday while retrieving the Gilded Tree. Both are princes. Darien is a fairy prince and Kunzite claims to be the prince of a place called Midnight Terra." I saw something in the Goddess's eyes that told me she knew. "What?" I asked.
"I never thought you two would find each other so quickly." She finally said after a thoughtful silence.
"What do you mean?" I asked, scooting closer to the mirror.
"Well, when the Lock Priest endowed the Shay Warriors, they endowed four special souls to become their mates. These mates offer solace and power to the chosen four. Each on of them is their equal. They were saved especially for the Shay Warriors." She explained. I shook my head.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that Darien and Kunzite were chosen to partner with us?"
"No, just Kunzite. Kunzite was chosen to partner with you Mina. Was there anything that struck you as odd when you touched at anytime?" I thought back to the time in the Zanzim cave and nodded.
"It felt like power when we shook hands." I said softly. The Goddess nodded.
"He was meant to be your partner."
"Does he know this?"
"He should. Every partner chosen knew of their destiny."
"And he was saved for me? What do you mean by that?"
"He was saved, mind, spirit, and body especially for you and you alone." She told me. A million questions ran through my mind, but one had me gasping.
"Are you saying he's a virgin?" I squeaked out. She nodded slowly.
"The Lock Priests put a spell on them that restricted them from ever bedding another woman but one of the Shay Warriors. Every time a woman desired him, and he her, the spell would be inflicted and they couldn't act on their desire." So that was why Kunzite was uncomfortable around the serving wenches last night. "You must consummate the meeting, only then will he be granted his powers. With his help, you and the others will be a powerful force."
"Consummate?" I squeaked again, feeling a blush run up my cheeks. She wants me to sleep with a total stranger? How could I do that? I was never one to jump into bed, despite what my cousins might think. Sure, I had a million boyfriends, and I did sleep with some of them, but they had all been.........broken in.
"Mina, you have to do this. He knows this and now you do. Please, for my daughter." She pleaded. I winced. Sure, use Serena to sucker me in. She sure knows what strings to pull.
"How am I going to go about this? I never seduced anyone. They usually came to me." I said a little smugly.
"You have my power. It's about time you learn how to use it. You will have to soon." She said logically.
I ran a hand through my thick blonde hair and blew a strand of bangs out of my face. "Well, I guess I could try."
"Not try, do." The Goddess said stubbornly. Sheesh.
"Alright alright." I cried and held my hands out to defend myself from her burning gaze. She relaxed and smiled.
"Good. I will contact you when you're finished. And please Mina, do it sometime before you return to Mauveland." She said and shimmied away. I sat back and pouted. This was going to be a challenge.
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AN: Next chapter, 'Mina's Virgin' will be up next. Can you imagine Kunzite as a virgin? Even had me giggling as I wrote it....... Review please, tell me how you like it so far.........