Lina decided that the more pregnant she got, the less she liked riding in a carriage. They were hot, stuffy and cramped, and the constant jostling didn't help with her already diminished bladder control. After living for several years on the road she was certainly no stranger to going in the woods, but, having become accustomed to the wonders of living in a mansion with the luxury of indoor plumbing, squatting in the woods had lost any sense of adventure it once had.
The redeeming thing was that Amelia was able to put all of her diplomatic skills to managing the bickering between Owen and Nerys so that they weren't arguing with each other the entire trip. Lina had been sure that were it not for Amelia, she would have bashed their heads together before they reached Zefiel City.
When they reached the palace Lina and Amelia raced each other to see who could get to the bathroom first, and then went to meet with the Eternal Queen. Lina had been nervous that Owen and Nerys would squabble in front of her, but fortunately they were on their best behavior and respectful as they related their adventures in the Elmekian Empire.
"In addition to slaying Garm and handing over his pelt to the Duchess Gertrude, we made contact with several Gungeniel Knights who were receptive to our concerns about the menace that Mazoku pose to our existence, and when we met Dava we were able to put her in contact with them. Currently they are planning to work together to determine how to rid the Elmekian Empire of whatever Mazoku presence may exist in the upper echelons of government there." Owen explained.
"So we were able to build many bridges." The Eternal Queen said as she smiled. "Well done, both of you. You have served your kingdom well, please accept these tokens of our appreciation."
Aliciane came forward and opened a large box. Within were two necklaces with a polished stone of malachite. The Eternal Queen took one and placed it around Owen's neck, and then placed the other around Nerys'. "Thank you for your service. You are now free to enjoy our fair city while I talk with Dame Lina and Sir Gourry and the others."
"Thank you, your majesty." Owen said, and Nerys followed suit.
Lina smirked as she thought about how Owen and Nerys would surely get as far away from each other as was possible as soon as they left, and once the door closed behind them she wasted no time in asking, "So, what is the news about how this has gone down in the Elmekian Empire?"
"Duchess Gertrude has delivered on her promise to withhold the troops that Emperor Gregory needs." The Eternal Queen explained, "Relations between those siblings are rather hot right now. It may even become a civil war."
"Sad as a civil war is, it would be good for us." Amelia mused aloud, "If they're fighting each other, then they aren't fighting us."
"For now it would seem as though the situation in the Elmekian Empire has settled, for us at least. Unfortunately the situation in Dils appears more dire. And it has spilt over into the Empire of Lyzeille." The Eternal Queen explained.
"What do you mean?"
"There have been reports of people going missing in Dils. A few people claim to have escaped from torture camps."
Several of them gasped, and Amelia exclaimed, "That's horrible!" as Lina and Zelgadis asked, "But why?"
"Unknown, for now. Terrible as it is, that's not the worst of the news. Two brave people have escaped from the Empire of Lyzeille, and they reported that Mazoku have infiltrated and conquered their empire." The Eternal Queen explained.
"What?" Lina replied.
"Aliciane." The Eternal Queen said. "Bring him in."
"Yes, your majesty." Aliciane said.
Lina and Amelia exchanged a look, and Aliciane soon returned with a young man with grey eyes and dark hair. From the way he walked Lina gathered that he had some training as a swordsman, though she couldn't get a read for how good he was. He wore the clothing that the palace guards for the Lyzellian Empire wore, and while they were clean, they were also starting to look ragged, as though he had nothing else to wear. The Eternal Queen instructed him to take a seat, and he did. "This is Rick. He was a guard for the Emperor of Lyzeille. Why don't you tell them what happened?" the Eternal Queen instructed.
"Well, I was running an errand for the court sorcerer that sent me out of the palace for some time, and when I returned to tell him it was accomplished, he was receiving a vision spell from your people about these jewels that people from the Kingdom of Dils were using to control people. When I expressed my alarm and insisted that we tell the Emperor immediately, the sorcerer attacked me! That's when I noticed the sheen on his forehead and the clear diamond on it. Your warning, I'm afraid, was a second too late! He was already possessed! I got away, but when I went to get help, everyone I met had one of those damned diamonds on their heads! It's lucky I was sent out of the palace before the ambassador from Dils or whoever did this struck otherwise the same fate would have befallen me. I couldn't take everyone on my own, though. I have no idea what befell the Emperor and I truly regret that. It was all I could do to escape."
Lina's estimation of Rick's abilities went up a bit. If he could survive an attack from a sorcerer, he would have had to have some skills. Still, if what he said was true and Lyzeille had fallen, it was really bad news for them as they had been posed to be a strong ally. Meanwhile, he continued, "I knew I had to get help. So I rushed to Zefiel City as quickly as I could to ask for your assistance."
"Given that Rick was unknown to us, we were worried about some sort of deception even as our instincts tended towards finding him trustworthy. Naturally, the news is alarming." The Eternal Queen continued, "We sent a Ceiphied Knight to assess the situation, and she is still traveling. A week ago, though, another citizen of Lyzeille came to us and confirmed Rick's story. Rick has been held in a comfortable room with few visitors since his arrival for security reasons and to our knowledge neither of them have met. And in the second visitor's case, she is familiar to us and has proved worthy of our trust. Bring her in."
"Yes, your majesty." Aliciane said, and an awkward silence tore through the room as everyone thought about the change in Lyzeille's fortunes.
"What chance is there that this has happened to other countries, and we know nothing of it?" Zelgadis mused aloud.
"Should we send envoys everywhere to check?" Amelia suggested.
"It is being seen to." The Eternal Queen stated, but she did not elaborate. Another awkward silence fell.
Rick broke this one as he looked at Lina in awe and asked, "You're Lina Inverse?"
"The one and only." She said.
"Are the stories true?" he asked.
"Just the good stuff." Lina said as Luna snorted.
But then Aliciane walked in with Sylphiel, and Lina and Amelia stood up. "What are you doing here?" Lina asked, and then she mentally slapped herself as she realized how that sounded, "I mean, not that we're not glad to see you, but you had plans to rebuild Sairaag!"
"Yes." Sylphiel said, and Lina noted that she appeared as heartbroken and dispirited as she had after Sairaag's destruction, "I wish I were here under better circumstances."
"Take a seat." The Eternal Queen said.
She took one beside Rick, who was looking at Sylphiel as though he had seen a ghost, "Why don't you begin?" The Eternal Queen said.
Sylphiel nodded, "I was on my way to the palace to meet with the Prince to inform him of my findings and plans for implementing the model you had used with the Luke and Milina School of Swordplay and Sorcery for Lyzeille. But as soon as I stepped into the palace I could sense a great evil within. The doors had barely closed behind me before I was ambushed, but I somehow managed to escape, if but barely. From what little I could see I have no doubt that there was a Mazoku at the palace. Perhaps impersonating the royal family as has happened in the Kingdom of Dils."
"Damn." Zelgadis said.
"And tragically it makes sense. While we were busy stabilizing things in the Elmekian Empire, they decided to spread to the west where our influence is nil. For so long they had been indicating that they would attack the Duchy of Kalmaat that we thought they would go east, and that once they had subjugated Kalmaat they would pressed forward to Zefeeria. Instead it looks as though they are wanting to get the western countries under their control. And indeed, Lyzeille was too far for us to help in time. And given how large Lyzeille is, it is unfortunately a tremendous win for them." The Eternal Queen explained.
"So things get better in the Elmekian Empire, but while we were putting out that fire, they went down the drain in Dils and Lyzeille. And Lyzeille had been so friendly to us." Amelia said.
"And it leaves the Kingdom of Ralteague vulnerable." The Eternal Queen pointed out.
"Please, your majesty, what can be done to help Lyzeille?" Sylphiel asked.
"The situation in Dils has been like a multiheaded hydra." The Eternal Queen began.
"Lina slew Sherra." Luna continued, "And she forced Dynast to retreat. It will take him years to recover from those wounds. Still, it didn't take long for another Mazoku to slip in and take over. So we're thinking that whoever slays the Mazoku in Dils and Lyzeille will need to be committed to staying to prevent another Mazoku from filling in the power gap."
The Eternal Queen looked pensive, "Which would require a royal marriage, to get someone important who has the right to power there and who is also trained in sorcery so they can defend against the Mazoku threat. I've been thinking that Maeve is of a marriageable age and valuable in the market. We could get her into one of the countries, and especially if we pair her with one of the royals or nobles, once she frees them from the control spell and takes down the Mazoku, she can ensure that the vacuum does not happen again."
Lina opened her mouth in protest, but Amelia managed to speak before she did, "Respectfully, your majesty, I beg you to reconsider. They are aware that Princess Maeve is a powerful sorceress, and given Zeferia's reputation they would be expecting a fight from her. She'd be walking into a trap."
"What would you suggest then?" The Eternal Queen asked, and Lina noted that at least she seemed relieved to have a way out of sending Maeve off into such a dangerous marriage.
"Well, servants get their master's confidences," Amelia said, and Lina suddenly felt the urge to avoid looking at Aliciane, "And when a master becomes attached it becomes hard to believe that their servant would turn on them, even though it's common. So many scandals have happened because a servant's loyalty was bought."
"So you want to send someone to infiltrate the palace as a servant?" The Eternal Queen suggested, "Would Owen and Nerys be up to this?"
"Owen would never make a convincing servant. He was born to power. And Nerys has such pride." Lina said.
"Who would you suggest then?" The Eternal Queen asked.
Lina felt her stomach tighten, "Our students are so young."
"They have their first year almost under their belt. Some have already performed amazing feats."
"Respectfully, we got started so late in the term that I can't even say they have a full year under their belt, even with summer break coming up." Lina said. "And Garm, while strong, was no Mazoku."
"Let me clarify. For now I would want them to take no action to change the balance of power, because peasants would not be able to assume royal power. It would be like sending you in the slay Dynast again. Right now I just want them to gather information, so we can form a plan to infiltrate Dils and Lyzeille and topple them from within." The Eternal Queen countered.
Lina exhaled as she thought it over. She didn't like it, but she also knew that there was little she could do to protest it, "Susan would make the perfect spy. Given her talents, and she is from Dils and would know the customs. She pairs well with Marcus, and both of them have handled several emergencies adroitly. I just hate to do this at the beginning of summer break."
"They're working for their country, not here to relax." Luna said.
"Two weeks in Dils, two in Lyzeille, they report back, and then they have the rest of their summer while we formulate the next step." The Eternal Queen said, and Lina felt her stomach sink. Having Owen and Nerys away had been bad, and she had hoped she'd have more time to recover before having to send her students on the field again and to have to live with the constant worry of what was happening to them once more.
"I'll let Susan and Marcus know when they return." Lina said.
"Wonderful. Now, are there any other matters to attend to?"
"Pardon, majesty, but how can I be of use, as I am here?" Sylphiel asked.
"Thank you for your initiative. While it won't be 22 new students, a few new pupils have been found who will start in the fall." The Eternal Queen explained, "Meaning you'll have a first year class and a second year. And, considering how you already saved Dame Lina's pregnancy, I am sure everyone will feel comfortable having you close by should anything else happen and to deliver them when the time comes."
Lina felt the butterflies erupt in her stomach at the thought of having Sylphiel there indefinitely, especially once the baby arrived. Granted, the idea of Sylphiel delivering her was comforting given what had happened, but after the baby was safely there, it just seemed a recipe for indefinite awkwardness. Still, she couldn't exactly say no, and not just because the Eternal Queen had asked. "Of course, we would love to have you on board. Sylphiel, you could help Amelia with classes on White Magic, and I guess I could let you have a Gods and Mazoku Lord course, and my Mom can let you take a myths course." Lina said.
"Which leaves Rick." The Eternal Queen said. "Given the information provided by Ambassador Lahda, I believe it is time to allow him his freedom and to find a job for him."
"You a decent swordsman?" Zelgadis asked Rick.
"I'm good enough." He said.
"You could help Gourry and Han with the sword fighting course, and that would free me to do extra courses in magic." Zelgadis said.
"That's settled then." The Eternal Queen said, "I won't take up much more of your time. Lina, I am pleased with the success of your students. This is just what I need to present to the council. Keep up your hard work, and let me know if you need any more assistance."
"Thanks, your majesty." Lina said as everyone stood up.
"I had better go and pack." Sylphiel said, "Excuse me."
"I'd better get to a tailor and get some fresh clothing before we leave town." Rick said.
"Of course. We can meet back here in two hours for the carriage ride home." Lina said.
"Look at you, quite the cute little pregnant woman." Luna said as she ruffled Lina's hair as they walked on the cobblestone street to the ice cream parlor. To say that Owen and Nerys' success had put her in a joyous mood was an understatement.
Lina scowled at her, "Are you belittling me?"
"I'm being serious! You just get pregnant in the front. I got pregnant all over! It was rather horrendous, there was nothing cute about it."
"What am I seeing?" Gourry exclaimed as he pointed.
What now? Lina thought, but when she looked at where he was pointing she saw Owen and Nerys sitting at the porch outside the ice cream parlor chatting nicely as they licked their cones. Lina folded her hands over her stomach as she said, "Well I did not see that coming."
Casually they walked over to them, "What's this?" Lina asked.
"A snack." Nerys said as she raised an eyebrow.
"First opportunity you have to ditch each other and yet you still hang out with each other?" Lina said incredulously.
Nerys and Owen looked at each other and shrugged, "Who says we don't like the fighting?"
"Um, okay," Lina said.
"Oh, we wanted to let you know, we're just going to walk back." Owen said. "Stretch our legs, see the scenery."
"Just make sure you do it before sunset." Amelia said, "Least you find another ghost wandering those woods."
"Well, we lost Owen and Nerys but gained Sylphiel and Rick." Lina said as she waited with Amelia, Zel and Gourry for the carriage to arrive.
"Just think of summer break in a few weeks." Gourry said, and Lina reminded herself that with his long legs he had better reasons to not like having the extra passengers than she did, "We can endure anything until then!"
Sylphiel came up with her bags, looking utterly dispirited. Awkwardly Lina wondered just how much worse her luck could get. Fortunately Amelia started to converse with her as Rick approached in fresh clothing with a bag with some extras. He smiled warmly as he said. "It will be so good to get out of the palace! I was kept under lock in key as they figured out whether or not they could trust me. How far away is Maninstit?"
"It takes the carriage about thirty minutes." Amelia said.
Rick looked at Sylphiel. "It warms my heart to know you survived."
"Excuse me?" Sylphiel said.
"How did the High Priest's daughter survive the destruction of Sairaag?"
Sylphiel looked up at him, clearly baffled, "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
"I grew up in Sairaag. You probably don't remember me. But you are Sylphiel, right?"
"I am. I feel horrible for not remembering you." Sylphiel said, obviously aghast, but he waved her away.
"I was just a regular kid, and that temple was so big there was no way that even your father could be expected to know everyone by name. And I was always too scared to introduce myself, even though watching you was the only thing that made those services interesting! Let's just say I wasn't thinking about Ceiphied!"
Sylphiel blushed, and Lina grabbed Gourry's hand. If Sylphiel got a beau, then that would make things a lot less awkward! "I apologize, I don't believe I got your name." Sylphiel said.
"Rick Ferrows." He said.
For the first time in a long time, Lina watched as Sylphiel's eyes lighted as she asked, "And you're from Sairaag?"
"Yes. I'd left to work at the palace when it was destroyed, but I was the only one I knew who left. Everyone I grew up with, my entire family, was there when it was destroyed." She put a hand on his arm in acknowledgement of a shared loss as he continued, "I thought there were no survivors from the city. I still can't believe you're here, and alive! For a moment I thought I was gazing upon an angel. How did you get out?"
Sylphiel had grown rather pink as she said, "That's a long story."
"It's a good thing we'll be stuck in a carriage together then, isn't it?"
When they got back to Maninstit, kids were once again running ragged through it. Gourry looked at Lina as they entered the foyer and were swamped with kids ready to greet them. Even though she was ready for the next few weeks to fly by and for them to be gone, her heart did soar a bit to see that she had been missed.
"You're home!" Leia said as she came over to hug them. "Sylphiel, you're back?"
"We'll explain over supper." Lina said. "Sylphiel, why don't you go ahead and settle into the room you were using when you were serving as am ambassador? And Rick can have the room to your left. Would you mind showing him?"
"Not at all. Please, follow me." Sylphiel said as she indicated the stairs to Rick, and Lina had to grin as she noticed that they were walking rather closely together.
Then she turned to her mother and asked, "How did it go?
Leia laughed wryly as she threw her hands up and walked back to the dining room, "Next year we take more teachers. I've already told Nelly to bring out extra wine!"
AN: Someone asked me if I could give Sylphiel a love interest, and suggested Rick, an original character I'd written for Slayers Expecting and who I expanded on a bit in Much Ado About Courting (and probably also has appearances in Royal Pains, Baby Blues, and A Little Strength Left). While I'd thought about pairing Sylphiel with Lantz at one point, I couldn't see Sylphiel getting with such a jerk, thus Rick was born. Considering it seemed to be expected that Sylphiel would be back somehow to deliver Lina and Amelia's babies (and to be honest, given that her luck had been so bad I knew I would have to show some turnaround and get her to a happier place) I decided I liked the idea of bringing Rick back as well because with his over the top flirtiness he was fun to write, especially as the noble knight characters I could have paired her with from the novels got killed in them. So even though he appears in different continuities that I've written he has no cannon basis whatsoever.
