"Why can't I stay here! Is it punishment for blowing up that classroom?" Merko wailed to his father, aunt, and grandparents.

Gourry embraced him and reassured him, "No, no. Oh, Merko, never believe I truly want you to leave, but you know the story of why I left Elmekia. The new Elmekian emperor is using it for an excuse to harm our family and take over Zephilia. You'll be safer fostering in Seyruun. You know the royal family there, and they love you, too."

"Cornik's a pain in the..."

"Yeah, well, Gracia's daughter has her mother's attitude, but you seemed to have fun with the other kids your age," Luna placated him.

"Anila will still be here. Why doesn't she go, too? I can fight. You know I have powerful spells," Merko still argued.

"Anila is the Thoughts of the Aqua Lord and has her own power besides being the queen. And as queen, she can't leave her people. You also have your mother's temper and can overreact," Luna countered with a glare. "You need the training in control your father and I should give you, but we could have our hands too full defending Anila and Zephilia."

His grandfather added, "Don't forget you will represent Zephilia in Seyruun. That's a big responsibility for one so young, isn't it?"

"I guess so," Merko admitted in a downcast voice.

"Learn as much as you can in many arts," his grandmother advised. "Make your family proud. When the kingdom and family are safe, surprise us with your skills when you return."

Luna grabbed him by the shoulders to turn him to face her and further admonished him, "You have your mother's talent for black magic, but even she realized she should have gotten more proficiency in white and shamanistic magic. You will be going to Seyruun, where Sylphiel and Amelia can train you properly in white magic. Amelia and Zelgadis can also build up your shamanistic skills. Gracia, also. Learn to be strong in all magics. That way you'll be a better warrior to help us later."

Merko slowly nodded his head and tearfully hugged his grandparents and Dilgear before leaving for the palace with Gourry and Luna.

Back at the palace with Merko by his side, Gourry dug into the wardrobe in his room and pulled out an old duffel bag.

"This is the bag I carried when I traveled with your mother and when we came here. We'll pack it with the things you will need. One toy only, OK?"

"The training sword you made for me, of course," Merko declared bravely.

Gourry ruffled his son's hair. "Of course," he agreed, "But that's not a toy."

"My little wooden dragon with the flapping wings and moving head and tail that you made me, then. I love making it fly with magic, and it'll remind me of home."

Merko held his arms up for a hug, and Gourry picked him up and held him tight for a few moments.

Putting his son down, he reminded the boy, "Milgazia and Memphis are arriving during the day and leaving with you at night, but you must tell no one that you will be leaving. We don't know if there are any Elmekian spies who might try to prevent your leaving. It's actually a good thing you were suspended from school, I guess. When it is learned you are not here, it might be assumed that is why you are fostering outside of the kingdom. We don't want the Zephilians to think we're sending you away out of fear of of the Elmekians. It would dishearten the people."

That evening Gourry ran through sword forms and exercises with Merko to make up what they had missed in the morning. They then camped out on top of one of the palace's walls and talked together while watching the stars. It was something they had done before, and thus wasn't remarkable. No one would think anything of it, but it was some comfort to the father and son, who knew it would be long before they could do it again, if ever.

Milgazia and Memphis arrived mid-morning of the next day. They realized this was not going to be a light visit. Gourry didn't call Milgazia "Uncle Lizard" in jest, as he had done when Merko had first met the golden dragon. Thereafter at each visit, Gourry would repeat the good-natured insult, and Milgazia would give Gourry a growl and threatening look. This would elicit a "Sorry, sorry!" and a pretend recoil from the swordsman. It was corny, but made the children giggle each time.

After bowing in respect to the Eternal Queen, Memphis cocked her head to the side and asked, "What's happening, Your Majesty? You all look so serious, and Gourry didn't mock insult Uncle as usual when we appeared. Plus Merko looks so sad."

Anila looked to her Aunt to answer. "The new Elmekian emperor has ordered massive military exercises on our border and wants us to surrender Gourry, Anila and Zephilia to him. He's using the excuse of Gourry's taking the Sword of Light so many years ago. But let us discuss this in private, after you have told us of your travels and the state of the world elsewhere."

"Seyruun and Sairaag remain the most stable areas free of lesser mazoku outside of Zephilia. Filia may consider herself an ex-priestess and shop owner, but lesser mazoku of Dynast and Dolphin have been cleared from her area, although she says Xelloss pops up every once in a while," Milgazia informed the court.

Luna chuckled and observed, "Enemy of my enemy... apparently. As long as Shabranigdo isn't leading them, the mazoku compete with each other viciously."

"The same can be said for humans, Auntie," the Eternal Queen reminded her in a non-childish voice.

Milgazia, Memphis, and the rest of the court bowed to her in recognition.

Then Anila beckoned Bessmorta over to her and whispered, "I need to use the potty."

Bess announced, "Her Majesty wishes to retire to her quarters now. Distinguished and beloved guests, Milgazia and Memphis, please join her in a few minutes for refreshments."

With a nod at Gourry, Bess indicated he should pick up Anila from her throne and take her to her apartments. Luna grabbed Merko's hand and the two of them followed.

"That's the story," Luna finished telling the two visitors fifteen minutes later in the private quarters protected by a silence spell.

"Are you willing to leave so soon and take Merko with you to Seyruun?" Gourry asked sadly. His arm was around the shoulders of his son as they sat there glumly.

"No problem," Milgazia assured him. "You're correct in thinking flying would be best. Using the astral plane can be dangerous both because of his young age and the fact there could be lurking mazoku in it."

When most of the palace had retired for the night, Milgazia and Memphis appeared in the Gabriev quarters. Luna, Bessmorta, and Leon had quietly slipped into the apartment to say goodbye. Luna gave the elf the letter explaining the situation to Seyruun's rulers. Merko kept a stiff upper lip as he then bid those who were remaining farewell. He was determined to show he was a good warrior.

Silently he, Gourry, Memphis, and Milgazia went down to the courtyard, where Milgazia transformed into his proper golden dragon shape. The elf climbed aboard the golden and reached for Merko, who gave a little cry and hugged his father fiercely. Gourry held him fast and whispered, "Goodbye, my brave young, magical swordsman. Never doubt that I love you and will miss you so much."

Merko looked at his father with a seriousness never seen before on his face. "Poppa, promise me you won't join Momma yet. Anila and I need you."

"Never fear. I won't force fate. I must keep you, Anila, and this kingdom as safe as I can."

Father and son kissed each others cheeks, and Gourry lifted Merko and his duffel bag up to Memphis' waiting arms. The elf settled the boy in front of her.

"Ready?" Milgazia rumbled.

"Yes, Uncle," the elf replied.

"Farewell, Knight. We shall take good care of your young," the dragon assured the swordsman and took off into the darkness.

Gourry, added by his famous exceptional vision, watched them wing away as long as he could before swallowing a sob and wiping away the tears that then started to run down his cheeks.

Luna suddenly appeared beside him, and placing a hand on his shoulder, sternly reminded him, "We must now see that Anila stays safe. Remember you have more family here now than just you and your children. Your safety concerns us as well." She patted his shoulder and handed him a handkerchief from out her skirt pocket.

He sighed and quietly thanked her.

She grabbed him by the front of his collar and pulled him after her. saying, "Come. Let's spar until we are too tired to feel our sorrows and worries and then indulge in some good Zephilian wine to help us sleep. She gave him a wry look. "Not too much wine, though. We'll need to be rested and alert in the days ahead."

When the Elmekian ambassador finally arrived, she was accompanied by several large, armed guards, as well as female attendants. Dressed in voluminous silk under and over robes embroidered with gold and wearing a jeweled circlet on her light green hair along with other heavy, copious jewelry on hands, arms, ears, and neck, she strode haughtily into the court to present her credentials. Her men and women, including a sullen, young woman with chestnut colored hair, followed her. This young woman was also dressed richly, but she seemed uneasy in her finery. To Gourry's and Leon's relief and surprise, none of the guards were Gunginiel Knights. Gourry and Leon in relaxed but defensive stances glanced at each other with raised eyebrows.

Gourry murmured aside to Luna, "No Knights." Luna gave a very tiny nod of her head in reply.

After the little queen and the ambassador, Baroness Marlea, exchanged stiff, formal greetings, the baroness turned to Gourry. "And greetings to you, Nephew, despite your being a criminal and traitor to family and country. I have heard of your more positive deeds and acquisition of a better sword. You and your daughter look very well. But where is your son Merko? Shouldn't he be here to greet his great aunt? Or is he in school right now? I have a present for him."

"Gourry's son is of an age to follow the custom of diplomatic fostering. While he can receive excellent training here, his magic potential is such that Seyruun offers a more rounded education, especially with white magic. He has been sent there." Luna curtly informed her.

Gourry gave his aunt a proud smile. "Yes, it is as the Ceiphied Knight says. We are rather proud the Seyruun royal family will take care of him. We have been given unexpected honor."

"Indeed," the ambassador replied with barely hidden disgust. "And Leon. My, how the outcasts of the clan have risen in exile. Ah, Gourry, do you remember your cousin, Nedezda? Neda, come here and greet your handsome cousin."

Gourry gave a short bow from the waist. The young woman barely nodded her head.

"Last I saw you, you were but a toddler with your thumb in your mouth and a toy sword in your other hand," he informed Neda. "I bet you are a fine swordsman now. I can tell by your stance."

"Decent enough to take out a traitor, like you, old man," she lightly told him. "Let us spar tomorrow morning for you to find out."

"Agreed."

"Nadezda! We're here to reach a peaceful agreement, and you know our bargain," the Baroness scolded her and pinched the girl's arm.

"I did not agree to be dressed like a useless, defenseless courtesan." she growled to her mother.

"My daughter, as you can see, is not only beautiful, but has the Elmekian fighting spirit, although I wish she had better manners and diplomacy." the Baroness quickly told the court and gave an embarrassed little laugh.

"Madame Ambassador, before we speak of important matters, perhaps you and your company would like to go to your quarters to relax and refresh yourselves," the Eternal Queen suggested impassively. "Milk Mother Bessmorta, would you please show them where they can go?"

As the group turned to follow Bessmorta, Leon gave Gourry a small elbow dig and muttered, "Yeah, I'd like to show them were they can go..."

Gourry gave no indication he had heard. He was too busy being on his guard for hidden weapons and breathed a sigh of relief when the so-called Elmekian diplomatic party left the court.

As he watched the delegation leave, Leon suddenly grasped Gourry's upper left arm. "Damn!" he exclaimed softly. "You see that last fellow, who is smaller than the other men? He's trying to hid his face with that hood, but I recognize him by the missing ring finger of his right hand. He's her head spy and assassin!" Leon very quietly informed Gourry.