Gun X Sword: The Adventure Continues
Chapter 14: The Unobtained
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Gun X Sword because it belongs to the likes of Geneon and FUNimation. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for violence, adult content, and adult language.)
Morwen was staring at the remains of the crab machine that tried to destroy Van and the others as she was displeased to see it in pieces. She also hated being scolded by Eomer as she was about to report back to the rest of the House of Feanor. Her anger was a quiet one as she was walking on the medieval road. Her composure was spoiled by the victory that the sole heir of the House of Telfer had as she was being confronted by a man dressed in black leather with many piercings along with a silver stud on his tongue. He was another member of the House of Feanor as he was ready to collect Morwen and bring her back to Eomer for her punishment.
"My, my," he said as he stuck his tongue out. "It seems to me that your little crab got hosed."
"Can it, Lurtz," said Morwen. "I'm not in the mood right now."
"It's Van, isn't it? If you want me to kill him, say the word and I'll do it."
"He's foiled our plans to eliminate the 'trash' that is all over the trail to the Lost Region. It makes me sick to see myself fail. Even Lorbenia failed to kill his wife and unborn baby back at the hotel in Vulcanus."
"Lorbenia and Brego are on standby right now. If the elderly Kroo Kring Koo was still alive, he would have made short work of that freak in the tuxedo along with his little wife."
Lurtz laughed at the fact that he wanted to see Van killed on the spot as he was sticking out his tongue and grabbing at his crotch beneath his black leather pants. Morwen found it displeasing to her pleasure as she saw him giving off the middle finger in such a grandiose approach. Both members of the House of Feanor were also on standby as they were awaiting direct orders from Eomer himself.
###
The horse-drawn cart stopped at an old abbey that resembled a church as it was made from wood, mortar, and cobblestones. It was a safe place for Van and the others as they got off the cart and went inside. As for Shinichiro, however, he parked the cart and horses next to a stream so they can get a drink of water. He appreciated the company of Van and Wendy as they were also the future king and queen of the Lost Region. They were destined for something more as they had many admirers, including the young retainer with the horses and cart. While he stood by his horses and cart, he saw a man dressed in medieval clothes walk by along with a woman with long black hair. What were they up to? Were they just coming back to the village or is it something else?
Shinichiro stayed by his horses and cart as he saw two large turtles crawling towards the stream. There was a pink turtle with a bell around his neck as he stood next to the stream to get a drink of water. The blue turtle that followed him was also getting a drink of water as she was later accompanied by several baby turtles that were tired from all that walking. There were twelve baby turtles altogether as they had many colors like their parents. To his surprise, Shinichiro had noticed that the pink turtle had a large dent in his shell as it resulted from a bullet that he took while he was still with Wendy at the time. As a turtle with a mate, he had many responsibilities for his family as he watched his young very carefully.
"Those are some strange turtles, aren't they, Snowshoe?" asked Shinichiro as one of his horses whinnied at the statement. "The dominant male has been through so much. He even has a dent on top of his shell. Whoever he is, he must be following Van."
The pink turtle, Kameo, slowly walked forward as he stopped next to Shinichiro and his horses. The young retainer didn't know what to think when he heard Kameo squawk happily as if he found something near that old cobblestone church. The baby turtles were curious as they wandered towards the church out of curiosity. All twelve babies stood at the front of the church as they were wagging their little tails. They were the children of Kameo as they were twelve babies in a row: six males and six females. The females, however, managed to stray away from their brothers and crawled around the old building. The blue turtle came to usher the small ones away from the cobblestone church as they were ready to leave. Somehow, the six females refused to leave as they were as stubborn like their father, but they were being ushered anyway by their mother.
When Kameo and his family finally left, they departed for the road ahead as they were off to the place that they wanted to go. Shinichiro was impressed that the family of turtles were travelling on the same road as Van and Wendy as they would someday meet again, but not right now. Night was setting in as Shinichiro was on his way inside. He lead the horses and cart towards the stables as he took them off of it and put them inside. He later went towards a large stack of logs as he gathered some for the fire. After gathering firewood, he was on his way back to the church as he was being expected to show up by Van and the others. When he opened the door to the church, he left it open as he didn't notice the fact that four baby turtles crawled inside unnoticed. They hid behind the luggage as they saw the door close. The four baby turtles were all female as they saw Van and Wendy sitting down in one of the benches. They were tired as they were resting their feet after all that travel. They saw candles being lit as they filled the whole church hall. Even Pavel was tired as he took off his jacket and sat down on the bench in front of them while Tinuviel and Undomiel were sitting from behind.
"This place sure had its upbringing," said Tinuviel.
"What did you expect? This is an abbey," said Van.
"I wonder where Shinichiro is..." said Pavel.
"He's probably sitting next to his horses," said Wendy.
"He'll be here, but in a little bit, he's more than likely to put his horses into the stables," said Undomiel. "Anyway, have you noticed that the weather getting a little bit colder lately?"
"It'll be much colder than we all know," said Van.
It wasn't long until Shinichiro showed up as he had a few logs in his hands. He was on his way towards a fireplace as he put the logs inside of there. With a piece of paper that was soaked in gasoline, he shoved it in the pile of logs as he drew out a box of matches. When he took one match out, he lit it and threw it into the fireplace as the flame flared up all over the stack of logs. There was warmth coming into the church as Shinichiro sat down next to fireplace and warmed himself up. He was grateful that he can provide warmth for the people who travelled with him as he was also on his way to where he was heading to.
"It seems that you've got a fire going," said Tinuviel.
"Miss Tinuviel, you startled me!" cried Shinichiro as he had a shocked look on his face.
"Damn it, I should've brought my cloak with me."
"We all should've brought something to warm us during the cold season, but I think that this church has some supplies here that we can bring with us on our way to the Lost Region."
Tinuviel sat down as she was sitting next to Shinichiro. They were both warming themselves by the fire as the cold air was starting to seep through. It wasn't long until Van and the others were going into another room where there is a table and many chairs. The place was old as it hasn't been used in years. Van had spotted another fireplace as he saw some firewood next to it. When he put the firewood inside of the fireplace, he found some paper as he shoved it in with the logs. To his surprise, he saw Wendy with her gun as she opened it up slightly and used the flinting parts to light the fire. A flame rose up as it was all over the logs. Both Van and Wendy sat down by the fire as they were tired for the night. They could never get away from the fireplace as they also huddled up for warmth.
"It's a shame that this place is abandoned," said Van.
"This place is anything but abandoned," said Wendy.
"It's a place that's useful, but there are times when no one pays attention to it."
"Van..., I feel cold, but I also have a bad feeling that it's going to get a little colder."
"I'm here, my darling; we'll always have warmth, no matter what."
"Van, you never called me that before, but..."
He pressed a finger to her lips as they continue to sit by the fireplace. They were happy together as they were warm all over each other. Nightfall came around as it was a blissful evening without rain. Both Van and Wendy were still sitting by the fireplace as they were also in good company with the presence of those that would protect them. There would be a time that Van will accept his destiny, but he wasn't on his way towards the Lost Region yet.
###
Shinichiro was out on an errand into the village that was a block away from the abbey. He had to pick up some apples, oats, and alfalfa for his horses who carried the cart all over the road. When he made it to the general store, he picked up the things that he needed in order to feed his horses. After he paid for them, he was on his way back to the abbey, but he heard some bickering coming from behind the shelf that had the oats as he decided to take a peek at what was going on. To his surprise, he saw the man and woman in medieval clothes as they were arguing about not having a child in their family due to the fact that they were both infertile. They were desperate to have a baby into their family as they were running out of options.
"We're in dire straits, Aldith," said the man. "My father is at the end of his rope because of our infernal infertility. I may be on my way to take over my father's homestead, but my younger brother has been the good son and me becoming the withered one."
"We've tried so hard, Iestyn," said the woman. "Everyone knows that our chances of having a child are slim and the pressure in procuring an heir is impossible."
"I am about to become the head of the Vernal family soon, but our chances of having a baby will never be realized if we try harder to produce an heir."
"I've got a solution for your trouble," said Lurtz as he came inside of the general store.
"What kind of solution?" asked Iestyn.
"It concerns your troubling infertility. The both of you are so desperate to have a baby so badly that you cannot conceive one on your own. I say that you do the impossible and procure one that is near this village."
"What are you talking about?" asked Aldith.
"There is a pregnant woman with child that came here in this abbey with her friends along with her husband. Now will be the time to take her from him and steal the unborn child in order to claim it as your own."
"What are you saying?"
"I say that you have to kill her!" Shinichiro had a shocked look on his face as he took his supplies and fled the general store. "When you do that, then you'll have your child."
Without hesitation, both Iestyn and Aldith had decided to procure the child that they desired as they sealed a Faustian deal with Lurtz. They wanted to even defy the rest of Iestyn's family as they would be the ones who will get what they want... even at the cost of one's life. And so, they left the general store as they were on their way home with Lurtz watching from the sidelines. To tell you the truth, he also wanted to do away with what the couple was going to covet as he viewed the presence of Van, Wendy, and their unborn offspring a constant threat to the House of Feanor.
###
Shinichiro ran as fast as he could as he was on his way back to the abbey with the supplies for his horses. When he ran towards the stables, he noticed that the horses were sleeping as they were also eager for their supply of oats, alfalfa, and apples. Even though it was evening, he had to protect the people that rode on his cart as he had to watch over them. He started to check out the rooms of the whole abbey as he was even searching the bathrooms. He heard water running as he noticed that someone was taking a shower. When he knocked on the door, he noticed that Pavel's medical bag was sitting by the door that noted that he was taking a shower after having to wait with Van while the women got themselves cleaned up earlier. To Shinichiro's shock, he turned around as he saw Van all cleaned up and dressed in his nightclothes as he was getting ready to go to bed.
"Hey, if you're looking for the girls, they're already in bed," said Van.
"That's a relief," said Shinichiro. "I'm sure that you're all safe and sound."
"Looks like that you had a rough time in the neighboring village."
"I just went to the general store and picked up some stuff for my horses. They get very hungry every once in a while, so I have to feed them from time to time."
"It's a long journey, but we have to make the best of it."
And so, Van went into his room as he was going his bed. He was happy to see Wendy by his side as she was sleeping in the same bed as he was. When he climbed into the warm quilt, he gently huddled next to her as he fell asleep after travelling for so long. He was grateful to be with her as he was dreaming about her afterwards.
###
The next morning, Van woke up as he noticed that Wendy was gone. She wasn't in the bed as he had assumed that she was fixing breakfast. Getting up, he removed his nightclothes as he put on some clean clothes along with his hat and sword. He got out of the room as he was on his way to the kitchen. To his shock, he noticed that Wendy wasn't there as she wasn't there cooking breakfast. Little did he know was that there was a baby turtle in the pocket of his black trenchcoat as it was poking her head out. There was a warning sign as he noticed that Pavel and Undomiel were tied up and gagged as they were still in their nightclothes. He also noticed that Tinuviel was also missing as he saw her fan on the floor. He picked it up as he saw it circle around his arm. When he released Pavel and Undomiel from their bonds and gags, they were free as they were up on their feet. Someone was here as he noticed that there had been struggles along with a bullet hole in the wall.
"What the hell happened here?" cried Van.
"It was a man and woman that took Wendy," said Undomiel.
"Where did they take her?!" His voice became intense as rage was boiling over him.
"They didn't say, but there was another guy with them," said Pavel. "They even took Tinuviel with them."
"This 'other guy...', what did he look like?"
"He was dressed in a black leather vest and pants. He even had a silver stud on his tongue."
"Then I'll have to find them along with their captors, even if it costs me my life."
"Van, wait!" cried Undomiel. "Edoras told me about him before! His name is Lurtz and he's from the House of Feanor. He's dangerous and he entices people in their desires. I don't know what he's up to, but I don't want him to hurt Wendy or Tinuviel."
"Don't worry, I'll be back for them."
And so, he set out to find Wendy and Tinuviel as he went out of the church and was ready to rescue them. Somehow, he heard some noises coming from the stables as there was trouble in the air when he went over there. To his surprise, he saw Shinichiro's horses all scared to death as they were whinnying with fear. Van was never a horse whisperer as he tried to calm them down as he was even petting them on their heads. It wasn't long until they stopped being scared as they were calmed down by something that was stirring in the man who was from the House of Telfer. Van even noticed that Shinichiro was laying on the floor as he had a small gash on his forehead.
"Hey, are you okay?" asked Van.
"Oh, it's you," said Shinichiro. "It was those people that I saw in the general store last night. I should have warned you about them, but I didn't want anyone to worry. Forgive me, my Lord."
"Now is not the time to be beating yourself up. I'm going after them and I'll make damn sure that both Wendy and Tinuviel are safe."
"Wait! I wanna come with you! I really dont wanna slip up again. If my master found out that-"
"'Master?' What the hell are you talking abou?"
"This 'master,'" said a man with blond hair.
The young man with blond hair appeared out of the blue as he had his own memory-cloth weapon in his hand. It was a naginata as it was also one of the weapons that was a part of the Imperium Twelve, but which one? Somehow, the man was on Van's side as he was also unhappy with Shinichiro for his blunder. He would scold him later, but now wasn't the time to do it. He had to rescue the future queen of Tir Andurinar before it was too late.
"Master!" cried Shinichiro. "I'm sorry for my mistakes!"
"Get up, Shinichiro," said the young man with blond hair as he had some bandages in his hand in order to cover the retainer's wound. "There's no need for you to blubber out your frustrations."
"Who the hell are you?" asked Van.
"My name is Yutaka Kitagawa. I am one of the Imperium Twelve and I'm also the pilot of Isildur of July. It's an honor to meet King Eovanuus al Terufa in the flesh."
"Skip the damn formalities, will you? We have to find Wendy and Tinuviel."
"I've been tracking the man and woman who were with Lurtz. They come from a very wealthy family, but the oldest son and his wife had tried desperately to conceive an heir."
"So they've turned to such a gruesome method into kidnapping a pregnant woman and killing her for the prize that they seek..." Van felt concerned for Wendy's safety as he was ready to leave. "So, where have this man and woman taken her along with Tinuviel?"
"They're on their way to an abandoned farmhouse. Lurtz is also there, so we must be careful."
Van nodded as he was eager to take one of the horses to ride on, but somehow, the resonance inside of him was starting to kick in. He closed his eyes as he saw the farmhouse clearly. It was covered in the trees that were in a forest where the village stood. He knew where to go as he ran off ahead. Yutaka and Shinichiro followed him as they were in the village where the general store stood. To their shock, they saw the head of the wealthy family venting out his frustrations as he was angry at his son and daughter-in-law for abducting a pregnant woman. Things were getting out of hand as the landowner who vented out his frustrations was about to take action into his own hands by punishing his son for doing such a terrible deed.
"Iestyn and Aldith should be punished for this deed," said the landowner. "Their efforts into conceiving a child may have faded, but resorting to such a horrible bloodshed on a delicate pregnant woman will not do!"
"Excuse me, sir!" said Van as he was standing in front of the man. "This pregnant woman that your son and daughter-in-law had abducted..., that happens to be my wife."
"What?! Oh, kind sir, why has Iestyn even defied you so?"
"I'm planning on getting my wife back. She's very dear to me, so I'm going to wherever this Iestyn is and snatching her back."
"This wife of yours..., is she Queen Guinderen il Terufa, one of the heroes who stopped the evil plans of Kroo Kring Koo five years ago?"
"It's the same one," said Shinichiro. "There's no faltering a second time, so we're going after her!"
"There's also another hostage," said Yutaka. "Her name is Tinuviel Zolti and she's very sensitive to the blood around her."
"What are we waiting for?" asked Van. "Let's go!"
And so, all three men ventured into the forest where the village stood. They were on their way to rescue Wendy and Tinuviel before there was some bloodshed on the hands of temptation, no thanks to Lurtz. They had to hurry, for time was very vital to them. Little did everyone know was that Kameo and his family were walking slowly as they watched the three men enter into harm's way, where Wendy and Tinuviel are being held prisoner.
###
Wendy was kept in a room where a bassinet was standing next to a window. She was scared of her captors as she wanted Van to rescue her. She also noticed that Tinuviel was staring out the window as she was as scared as her. Tinuviel wanted her fan as she was there without it. She also wanted to be of use to Wendy as she had to get over her fear of blood sooner or later. Earlier, she heard talking from outside the door as she heard Iestyn arguing with Lurtz about some second thoughts. He and Aldith wanted a child so badly, but the result in procuring on was about to get ugly.
"What are they gonna do to us?" asked Wendy as she was frightened.
"Those people want an heir, so they steeped so low to kidnap you." said Tinuviel. "As for me, the head honcho that started this fiasco certainly has a tendency to get off while he sees me become scared of blood."
"That's so horrible! Those people that kidnapped us really didn't want to resort to something like this, but they want to kill me for the twins inside me."
"That's not gonna happen! I know that Van is going to save us, no matter what."
There was hope that clung onto Wendy as she was clutching at her swollen belly. She was scared to death of her captors as she saw the door open. There was Aldith as she walked inside and stopped at the decorated bassinet. She was desperate to have a child as she was staring into the empty bassinet where she would covet what doesn't belong to her.
"Soon, you will be here, my little darling," she said.
"You know, there are other ways in conceiving a child," said Wendy.
"Iestyn and I have been promised by this Lurtz that we would have a child in our family, even if it means by killing you, my dear."
"You bitch!" yelled Tinuviel. "If you kill Wendy and steal what's inside of her, then you're sealing a deal for Lurtz and the rest of the House of Feanor! They're just using you and your husband! Can't you see that?!"
"I will have what belongs to me and Iestyn! We've tried hard and again to have a child, but our chances have failed! When we cut that woman open, then we'll have a chance to gain what we covet!"
"This is wrong!" cried Wendy. "This isn't an opportunity, this is insane!"
"It isn't wrong for me and Iestyn, so we'll have what we need."
"This isn't something that you need, it's cold-blooded murder!" yelled Tinuviel.
It wasn't long until everyone in the room saw Iestyn come in as he had a knife in his hand. He was prepared to cut Wendy open. Tinuviel stood in front of her as she wasn't afraid to attack him as she kicked the knife out of his hands. She even pushed Aldith out of the way as she grabbed Wendy and left the room. They ran down the hall as they went downstairs to the front door. Just as they were about to make it out of there, they were stopped by Lurtz as he was barring them from leaving. He was aware of Tinuviel's fear of blood as he bit at his thumb. Blood emerged from it as he was ready to put a scare into Tinuviel. She was shaking as she was reminded how wimpy she was due to her hematophobia. She had to try for a little bit as she was going up against a man who was a part of the House of Feanor.
"What's the matter, Tinuviel?" said Lurtz as he was squeezing his thumb. "Does a little bit of blood scare you so badly?"
"Don't taunt me!" she cried.
"Anyway, seeing you all scared of blood turns me on already. In fact, I'm starting to get a really bad hard-on right now."
"Cut the crap! I won't be swayed by fear, especially when it comes to a fear of blood!"
Tinuviel ran towards Lurtz as she kicked him in the crotch. She grabbed Wendy and fled the farmhouse as she heard footsteps coming down. It was Iestyn and Aldith as they were filled with rage against them as they were running into the forest. They couldn't let Wendy and Tinuviel get away as they had a child to cut out with the other hostage watching the horror. To their surprise, they saw Lurtz on the floor as he was groaning in pain. The pain in his crotch was unbearable as he wasn't used to being kicked in that area. He wanted to kill Tinuviel for doing that to him as he was up on his feet and ready to bring Wendy and Tinuviel back to the farmhouse. He wasn't done with them yet as he was ready to go on the hunt. He knew of the forests near the village, but he also had to contend with Van as well.
"They won't get far!" he snarled. "Soon, I'll kill them all, including that whelp, Wendy and her unborn child!"
Lurtz ran out of the farmhouse as he was after Wendy and Tinuviel. It wasn't long until he caught up with them and siezed them by the arms and lead them back to the farmhouse. He was strong for a man who came from the House of Feanor as he lead the hostages into the living room where Iestyn and Aldith were waiting for them. They wanted that child and nothing else as they were eager to claim their prize.
"You won't get far this time," said Lurtz.
"Why are you doing this?!" cried Wendy.
"I'm going to do away with you and the unborn child that Van had made!"
"You can't do this!" cried Tinuviel as she was knocked out by Lurtz's fist.
Lurtz lead the way as he grabbed Wendy by the arm and sent her upstairs into the same room with the bassinet. Wendy was scared as she saw Iestyn and Aldith standing behind her with knives in their hands. She was thinking that she should have brought her gun, but she was still in her nightclothes and without protection as she was waiting for Van to rescue her from certain death. She wanted Van to save her like he did before when he first arrived in Evergreen five years ago. She wanted to see him once again as she was about to meet such a gruesome fate from a desperate couple. It wasn't long until she was tied down to the bed as she had her nightgown raised up where her baby bump was. She didn't want to die right now, but she was scared out of her mind due to the fact that the desperate couple and a member of the House of Feanor were ready to kill her.
"Soon enough, we'll have our child that we have waited for in such a long time," said Iestyn.
"Actually, I've come to kill both mother and child," said Lurtz.
"What? We made a deal to procure the child, not kill it!"
"Wait..., is this true?" asked Aldith as she was full of doubt and questions. "What are you planning?"
"This isn't important right now," said Lurtz. "I've wanted to do away with the woman who helped stop the plans of Kroo Kring Koo five years ago and now, she will die!"
"Is this true?"
"The both of you made a deal with me. There's no backing down now when it comes to killing both mother and-"
"IS THIS TRUE?!" Aldith's voice was raised with concern.
"Do you think that I can give my word to you into keeping that child? You view it as a blessing while I view it as a threat!"
The sound of footsteps were approaching as they were coming toward the farmhouse. Iestyn went outside as he saw his father and several other villagers with pitchforks in their hands. They demanded the release of the hostages as they didn't tolerate the abduction of pregnant women. The landowner was furious at his son for pulling such a disgraceful act on someone who was with child as he was itching to tear him a new one.
"Iestyn!" he yelled. "Release that woman at once!"
"There you are!" cried Shinichiro as he drew out his sword. "Where are the hostages?!"
"They are inside," said Iestyn. "You must stop that madman! He'll kill the woman that is tied up from upstairs."
"Was it Lurtz?" asked Yutaka.
Iestyn nodded as he approached the villagers. He was guilty as charged as he saw the villagers pointing their pitchforks at him. Little did anyone know was that Van had gone into the back of the farmhouse as he went inside from the kitchen. To his surprise, he saw Tinuviel as she was on the floor. He saw her wake up as she had a bruise on her head. He also noticed that there was sheer terror that was about to happen as he had his sword drawn out.
"Are you alright?" he asked as he gave Tinuviel back her fan.
"Van...," she said as she sat up. "Oh, no! You have to get to Wendy, quickly!"
"Wait! What are they gonna do to her?"
"It's Lurtz! He's gonna cut her open! Hurry!"
Van ran upstairs as he was ready to rescue Wendy. When he went into the room where the bassinet was, he saw her all tied up on the bed as she was about to be cut open. Lurtz, on the other hand, drew out a gun as he shot at Van while the bullet hit his right pocket. He quickly got up as he ran towards Lurtz and threw him out the window. Aldith later drew out her knife as she was poised to cut at her prize, but she decided to set Wendy free after all.
"Take her, I beg of you," she said as she saw Wendy get up.
"Looks like that you have a change of heart," said Van.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Wendy.
"All along, Iestyn and I have wanted a child," said Aldith. "Now, it is too late for the both of us because of what we tried to do. I thought that the man who promised us a child was honest. Now, it is too late because we are now doomed to die. I beg of you, let me end my own life for my crime, for I've paid for it already."
"No, don't!" cried Wendy.
It wasn't long until Aldith was eager to take her own life as she was about to stab herself in the chest. She knew that obtaining a child in such a gruesome fashion was wrong as she was ready to end her life. Just as she was about to do so, she was stopped by Van as he took the knife away from her. He knew that suicide was a sin as it was also wrong to end one's life as he hated the fact that anyone who did it was surely damned for all eternity in the afterlife.
"What are you doing?!" cried Aldith. "I did you wrong! Let me die, I beg of you!"
"It wasn't your fault to begin with," said Van. "What about your husband? What would he say if he saw you end your life?"
"Why do you and your wife care? We're dead now, so let me and Iestyn die in peace!"
"If you want to blame someone, blame the one who pulled a dealbreaker on you. Wendy and I may be a king and queen of some strange country, but we should also find and foster forgiveness to those who have been strayed into temptation."
Aldith got up on her feet as she left the room and went downstairs to go outside. When she was reunited with Iestyn, they were surrounded by the landowner and several villagers. Even Shinichiro and Yutaka, along with Tinuviel have decided not to eliminate them as they surrendered without any incident. As for Lurtz, however, he was nowhere to be found as he was gone from sight. With the tragedy averted, Van and Wendy were grateful to see each other as they left the farmhouse and reunited with their allies. As for Iestyn and Aldith, however, they bowed down in front of Van and Wendy as they were ashamed at what they tried to do.
"Well, aren't you going to punish them?" asked the landowner.
"The only one that needs to be punished is the man who enticed them to such extremes," said Van.
"But they tried to kill that pregnant woman in there!"
"Don't start!" said Yutaka. "Your son and daughter-in-law have been given a slap on the wrist, but as for Lurtz, he should be given more than that."
"Who is Lurtz?"
"He's a member of the House of Feanor," said Tinuviel. "He preys on the temptations and desires of other people that he is certain to get what he wants. You shouldn't trust him after what he tried to do by forcing two desperate people into threatening Wendy's life."
The people in the village have decided to be lenient on Iestyn and Aldith as they were greeted by the presence of the future king and queen of Tir Andurinar. They, along with Tinuviel, Yutaka, and Shinichiro, bore no grudge as they were against the real threat that was looming in the trees. The House of Feanor nearly succeeded in killing Wendy and the Telfer twins as they would be back to take out Van and his friends sooner or later. And so, Van and the others were on their way back to the abbey as the villagers carted the man and woman back to the village. Luck was on the side of the righteous as Van and the others were finally back at the abbey where Pavel and Undomiel were there to greet them. When they went inside, they were starting to get hungry as they also noticed that there were seven boxes of pizza on the table in the dining room. It seems that no one had to cook after all as the smell of pizza was getting to everyone here.
Van was also starting to get hungry as he was ready to grab a slice of pizza. He wanted to get some really bad after dealing with such danger. To his shock, he felt movement in his right coat pocket as a bullet fell out of it. It wasn't long until Van had noticed something in his coat pocket. He saw a blue turtle hiding as she poked her head out. She had a dent on top of her dainty little shell as she came out of the pocket where the bullet hole was.
"What the hell?" said Van as he noticed the blue turtle.
"Looks like that you've got a good luck charm there," said Wendy.
"Are you kidding?! I never liked turtles!"
"Well, that one likes you, Van."
The little blue turtle fell out of the pocket as she was staying at Van's side. She may have been blue, but she bore a huge resemblance to Kameo. The blue turtle was none other than Kameo's daughter as she was just as cute as her father. Even Pavel was amazed to see the little blue turtle as she was sitting in Van's lap. He loved turtles as he also saw three more emerge from behind the luggage. They were female as they had pink, violet, and fuschia on their shells. They looked like Kameo and the large blue turtle as they were running to Van's lap. He still didn't like turtles as he was starting to get frustrated at them.
"It seems that they like you," said Undomiel.
"Hey, I'm no turtle whisperer, you know," said Van.
"Turtles are deemed good luck," said Yutaka.
"Yeah, even the small ones can stay at your side," said Shinichiro.
"Perhaps that you can be known as Van the Turtle Whisperer," said Tinuviel.
"I really don't like turtles," said Van.
"Well, they sure as hell like you," said Pavel.
Van was still sitting in his chair as he saw the small turtles stare at him. They all looked like Kameo as they were staring at him with their puppy-dog eyes and wagging their little tails. He stared at them back as they were too cute to put away. So, he decided to keep them on hand after all as he was also reminded how Kameo had been a luck charm to Wendy five years ago.
"So, these guys are keepers after all," he said.
"I knew that you couldn't say no," said Wendy.
"Also, Van, they're all females," said Pavel.
"So, what are we gonna name them?" he asked.
"Their names are already picked out: the pink one is Hibiscus, the fuschia one is Orchid, the violet one is Lavender, and the light blue one is Hydrangea."
"Okay, ladies, it's time to eat."
Van saw the turtles get off as he was grabbing a slice of pizza. He saw the turtles get at a slice as they were eating at it. Somehow, Van had new friends, but he also had the House of Feanor to deal with as well.
To be continued...