Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own Slayers in any way, shape, or form!

After quite the absence, a new chapter! I'm very sorry for the extreme delay...hopefully that won't happen again. In addition to the new chapter, I went back and tweaked the older chapters. (Some formatting vanished, and the lack of breaks made things a mess.) As always, thank you for all comments, corrections, and tips! All of it definitely makes my day...and prods me to work faster. (hehe) Enjoy!

Keeper's Wake - Chapter 10

"Dreams and riddles…always dreams and riddles." Lina muttered to herself, closing her new book with an audible snap.

Ah, but you'd think I'd be used to that by now. How many treasures are hidden behind those same veils?

Flipping the book over, Lina stared at the deep red cover as if it were to blame. Not that the author was completely blameless; so far, The Collected Tales of the Great Mage-Knight - a title proudly displayed in overly-fancy gold script - spouted more flowery phrases than any book had a right to. Even so, she'd forced herself to at least skim the various tales, rumors, and accounts in the book…enough that she wondered how the originals had sounded, before that would-be poet had mangled them so. At least Luna spared me in her earlier reading. If I ever get the chance, I'll have to thank her for that.

But it was the last chapter - if it could be called that - that really mattered. Hand-written into a few blank pages hidden at the end of the book, this new author had truly cared for Lina. Where the rest of the book focused on the grand tales known by peasant and king alike, the new author talked about the woman behind the myth.

And in a world where everyone had a theory about just what eventually happened to the great and powerful Lina Inverse, these few pages talked as if the writer had actually been there. Better still, they left her truly believing they had.

- She's already gone. I'm certain he took her, not that the others would believe me if I told them. In the end we only found a few of her things; everything else was lost in the destruction. We still don't know what really happened…probably never will. -

- It's getting harder to hide my feelings from them. Logically I know there was nothing we could have done to change things…not when Lina went out of her way to protect us…but that doesn't help. I know I should have been there for her; could have, if I'd only stopped and faced the truth. I won't say he was right, but I'm starting to understand why he might choose to hide her. -

But it was the last bit, so faded she almost missed it, that really convinced her.

- It's only been a few days, but already I've heard whispers that maybe it's for the best. We've all changed since the old days…drifted apart and pulled together in new ways. I have my doubts, of course, but I also know better than to voice them. Better some happiness than none, right? Haven't we earned that? -

- Maybe we…I…don't deserve to know the truth. No wonder he's decided we don't deserve her. I still hate him, still hate what was done both before and after, but… -

It felt like a great secret; dark doubts scribbled on a few bits of paper, the slight char on one corner testament to the original fate meant for those doubts. Yet someone had spared them…and then hidden them in plain sight, secreted away in a book most would never dare read beyond the first few pages, if at all.

Someone thought this out…and Luna, no, my sister, recognized its true value. And now she's shared the secret with me.

Instinct told her that wasn't the end of it. It was important, she didn't doubt that…but it wasn't the note Luna wanted her to find. No, the book had another secret for her, something valuable enough that it was hidden from any casual readers.

It almost felt like a test. Despite Luna's words, what proof did she really have that she was Lina Inverse? Ah, but hadn't Xelloss implied the same…even if he hadn't said it outright? Instinct was one thing, but having two people support that gut feeling…

So is this where I start proving myself?

No, that wasn't quite right. Rather, it felt like reclaiming something she'd lost. Until she was ready, she wouldn't have the skill or smarts to find what was right in front of her.

As if I'd ever let someone else decide anything I can or can't do. If…no, I am Lina Inverse…and it's about time I started acting like it!

"Miss Lina?"

At the sound of her name, Lina responded immediately, head snapping up and eyes locking on the person brave enough to disturb her in the middle of the night. Expecting to find an overly-energetic Amelia come to pester her with questions, she was surprised to find a priestess standing in her doorway. From the look on her face, it was obvious the girl had hesitated before calling out; poised as she was, the healer looked ready to bolt at the slightest sign of anger from Lina.

"I-I know you asked not to be disturbed, but-"

Taking pity on the woman, Lina waved her inside. I swear she's the only priestess that's said more than two words to us the entire time we've been here.

And Gourry had definitely been right; the woman could certainly cook.

"That was more for the others-" Pausing, Lina tried to remember if she'd ever heard the priestess' actual name. The few healers that still lived in the temple didn't talk much, and they certainly tried to avoid Lina's little group. And Gourry remembered her cooking instead of her name…not that I'm really surprised.

"Sylphiel." She supplied, moving further into the room.

Offering a nod of thanks, Lina continued. "That was really meant for the others, Sylphiel…especially Amelia. It's rather hard to read around someone so…"

"Energetic?" The healer offered with a smile.

"I was going to say annoying, but that works too."

Too polite to laugh, the comment still managed to scare a smile out of the woman. On the plus side, she was finally shedding some of her shyness…a definite plus in Lina's opinion.

Sensing that whatever had brought Sylphiel to her room would take some time, Lina slipped the book into a cloak pocket for later study. Not every mystery can be solved in a day…

"Your friend is asking to see you."

Startled from her thoughts, Lina fixed the healer with a questioning look. "Amelia and Gourry have already turned in for the night. Xelloss-"

Xelloss gave us some cheap excuse about visiting a friend nearby. It's been two days now; I'm starting to wonder if he couldn't stand seeing his colleague healed. Not that I'd want to be around if I were in his shoes; Zelgadis was angry enough before…who knows what he'll do now.

Either way, she intended to get a few answers out of her would-be assassin first.

"No, it's the man you brought in. He's been asking to talk to you for some time now, Miss Lina." Though she didn't say it, something told Lina Zel had done more than politely ask.

Just great…is he threatening priestesses now? Not that she'd put it past him, but these healers were hardly the bravest souls either. All he'd have to do is look at someone wrong, and they'd see danger.

Lina was on her feet before she'd really decided what to do. She still had no idea what would happen - she tried not to make a habit of talking to people that wanted her dead - but something told her she couldn't refuse him.

"Thanks, Sylphiel. I'll take care of it."

...

Zelgadis was waiting for her in a quiet room of his own, dressed and looking more than ready to leave. The healers had ordered him to rest, but she knew firsthand how hard it could be to listen, especially when you felt too good to sleep, but weren't quite back to your old self. While Zel looked healthy enough, that didn't mean he was ready to resume their fight just yet.

"Well, you're looking better."

Even though she was across the room, Lina could almost feel the heat in Zel's gaze. Still angry I see…

"No thanks to Xelloss."

Looking away suddenly, Lina could almost swear he was sulking a bit.

Such cold surety before…either he's a good actor, or he doesn't handle failure well. Could there actually be a Council mage that takes pride in his work, not his rank? Seems this is a day for surprises.

Deciding it was safe enough to enter the room, Lina gingerly settled in the room's sole chair; close enough that it showed a bit of trust, far enough that it proved she wasn't a fool.

"I've been meaning to ask you about that. I know the Alliance is harsh, but generally they don't attack their own without good reason…especially in the middle of an assignment. Seeing as you aren't an idiot, or incompetent, why 'turn traitor', as you put it? Though you could be a threat…" Trailing off, Lina frowned.

But Xelloss never seemed threatened. If anything, it felt like he was toying with Zelgadis. Certainly he could have pressed his advantage and killed him, if that was the point. No, there's more to this…something only Xelloss knows.

"Seeing as how you brought me to be healed, I suppose you deserve a real answer for once."

Annoyed by his obvious reluctance, Lina decided she'd had enough of this dancing around business.

"Damn right I do! You show up out of the blue, attack me when my back is turned, then I see that you're healed when I'd probably have been better off leaving you out there! I think we're past the point when you get to play the 'I belong to the powerful and secretive order' card!"

And if that doesn't get you talking, someone might be needing Sylphiel to heal him a second time.

"I was supposed to eliminate you, though I suppose they'd welcome you if you joined the Council." Shaking his head, it was obvious how likely he thought the latter was. "But the point is I was supposed to deal with you, not Xelloss. From the start he's been an unwelcome addition; I thought him an annoyance at first, but clearly he has other plans."

"Hardly your best friend then."

When he turned to glare at her, she cut him off. "I'm allowed a bit of amusement, Zelgadis. Given our own relationship, I enjoy seeing you put in a similar position. If it helps, you seem to have a similar knack for survival."

And there's the rub. I was saved by a magical gift…courtesy of Xelloss. Zelgadis was spared a killing strike…by Xelloss. Just what does Mister Mazoku plan for us?

Following a similar train of thought, Zelgadis finally caught her eye. "He's toying with us both. I know for a fact he's capable of more than he's shown…and it's not in his nature to spare someone, let alone protect them."

While Lina thought that over, Zelgadis watched her with hidden curiosity. How quickly this one woman had turned a seemingly-easy assignment on its ear. He hadn't killed her, hadn't converted her…now an ally - questionable as the term was when applied to Xelloss - had turned on him, while his enemy had saved him!

Then there were those odd flashes, not quite memories, more than instinct or emotion…at first he'd blamed Xelloss, but more and more they seemed connected to Lina and her friends. All of felt like a puzzle, but he'd only found a handful of pieces.

Can I really walk away before finding the rest? If I complete my job, do I destroy the puzzle completely?

Zelgadis had never been a fan of mysteries. His was a life built on knowledge and skill, all carefully controlled; the more he knew, the better he could handle anything thrown at him. Could he really end things, knowing he would never find answers?

"So…what now?"

For a single instant Zelgadis wondered if Lina had read his mind, but he just as quickly dismissed the idea. Had it really been so long since he'd met someone like himself? Lina was simply cautious; in her shoes, he'd have been wondering the same thing.

"I wasn't about to jump up and start casting spells, if that's what you mean." Managing a ghost of a smile, he watched her openly. Her reaction would tell him much…and help decide his immediate plans.

After a hearty laugh, Lina turned serious on him. She took a long look at him, and he couldn't mistake the judgment in that crimson gaze.

"You wouldn't fight here anyway." The way she spoke, the words became simple fact.

"Wouldn't I?"

She shrugged then, dismissing what little anger he'd managed at her assumption. "No, you wouldn't."

He could have seen it as a challenge…but he knew she sharper than that. She'd seen something, and he would play the game until she felt like telling him.

"I don't suppose you care to elaborate, do you?"

Rather than grinning in victory, Lina only gave him a knowing smile, as if they were sharing a secret.

"You might be a lot of things, Zelgadis, but cruel - especially pointlessly so - isn't one of them." When he looked ready to interrupt, she waved him off. "I haven't known you long, but I do pay attention…and I've talked a bit with Gourry and Amelia. No, you wouldn't fight here Zel…you're drive me outside if possible first. You might be an assassin after my head, but you'll handle things your own way, and pointlessly slaughtering bystanders isn't your style. You aren't a thug, you're a professional…and you have standards, good ones."

Dropping his head, Zelgadis couldn't resist a light chuckle. "So do you. Inverse or not, you won't be caught hiding behind others; you'll fight your own battles, carry your own weight. You'll never give up…especially if someone's depending on you. You never abandon your friends, Lina…even when we deserve it."

They both looked up at once after that, eyes wide from the shock. Lina found her voice first, her gaze boring into him as if sheer will would make her understand.

"What.. what did you say?"

But rather than answering her question, Zel's eyes narrowed, his look suddenly dark and distant.

"Muddy the waters all you want…I still plan to deal with you. But for now…for now I suggest you leave. You aren't welcome here."

From the doorway, a pair of amethyst eyes opened to mere slits. Something like hatred smoldered in them, taking up the gauntlet Zelgadis had so easily thrown.

And just who is doing the threatening, Zelgadis? The colleague betrayed, the assassin foiled? I care little if you threaten me; we've always been playing that game, Lina the prize you could never win. But if you threaten her…ah, then you've started a new challenge, haven't you? More than a game…with consequences far more deadly.

Against his will, another theory intruded on his thoughts. Or have you come so far already, that old roles will be renewed? Is it the would-be protector speaking?

Caught between them, Lina was just noticing the line of Zel's stare. By the time she turned enough to see the doorway, Xelloss' presence was nothing but a memory.

Careful Zelgadis…you wouldn't want to lose the game before it starts, would you? If you drive her away so soon, you make this far too easy.

And a hollow victory was never as sweet.