"Whoa, I've never seen such a flawless sapphire before!" Lina exclaimed as she beheld the crown that was reserved for Seyruun's future crowned princess. Once Amelia had watched in awe as her mother wore it. Now she tried not to think about what it would be like to see Maxine wear it as she kept her face carefully composed. Meanwhile, Lina reached into her pocket for her eye piece and favored Helzen the Royal Jeweler with a smile, "Is it alright if I examine it a bit more closely?"
"No." he said as he held up his nose and pulled the crown back to him.
"Please, Mr. Helzen, Miss Lina has done so much for our kingdom!" Maxine said as she clasped her hands together, "It would please me greatly if she were allowed to look at it!"
Helzen scowled but handed the crown back to Lina as he said in a droll monotone, "Very well."
"Thanks, Maxine!" Lina said as she started to appraise the crown, muttering the whole time about how much it would sell for and what a rare specimen it was. And as Amelia listened to Lina's complimentary dialogue she did have to feel a certain pride for her country. But it was soured the moment she thought about the first time she would watch as the crown was placed on Maxine's head.
Maxine turned to look at Amelia, "So what are you planning to wear to the fundraiser tonight?"
"Fundraiser?" Amelia asked.
"The Duchess of Elizham is holding a fundraiser for the orphanage she has founded." Maxine explained.
Lina groaned, "Please tell me I'm exempt."
"Go enjoy your evening." Amelia said as she looked at the jewels and tried to think of what dress would be the most appropriate for the evening, "An orphanage. Yes, I have the perfect dress for that! Helzen, may I see our aquamarine collection?"
"Right away," Helzen said.
"With all due respect, Princess, we should see about getting it altered before tonight." Maxine said as she looked at the travel clothes Amelia was currently wearing, "You hit quite the growth spurt while you were in the Outerworld."
"Oh," Amelia said. She had been hoping to get a nap in after all of the excitement of the previous night, but Maxine was correct. She would indeed be showing a bit more ankle than expected if she didn't have the hemline altered. "I suppose you're right."
"Look at the pretties!" Lina exclaimed as Helzen brought out a box filled with aquamarine jewels. "Do you have something similar but with emeralds?"
"Of course." Helzen said haughtily, "But what need do you have of them?"
"I just want to see!" Lina said.
"Please let Miss Lina see the emeralds, Mr. Helzen." Maxine said as Amelia picked out some pieces that would go well with her dress.
Lina smiled smugly at Helzen as he walked off in a hurry, and Maxine started to examine the contents of the box that held the crown. Amelia felt a sense of trepidation as she looked through it. As far as Amelia knew the box hadn't been opened since her mother had died because it contained all of Tesla's favorites.
"Oh, this would be perfect!" Maxine said as grabbed Tesla's favorite diamond necklace, and Amelia felt her heart break as Maxine held it against her neck. It was only when Maxine turned to see what Amelia thought that Amelia realized her mask had faltered, "I'm so sorry, I remember Princess Tesla wearing it. Perhaps another piece."
"No, it's alright." Amelia said hurriedly.
"It obviously is not." Maxine said with a wry smile, "And there are plenty of other pieces to choose from."
Gourry waved to the guards as he returned from the marketplace, secretly pleased with himself and grateful for Zel's reminder that Lina's birthday was coming up. Now if he could just remember where he was going to hide the necklace he'd bought for her! Hopefully she would still be out with Amelia so he could find a good place for it. And then if it was good enough to keep hidden from her, hopefully he would even remember where he'd hidden it!
His thoughts were cut off as he heard someone barking orders, and he quickly saw that someone was putting the guards through their drills. And to his surprise that someone was a woman! Gourry stopped and watched as she put them through their paces and then singled one of the men out to spar with. Intrigued, Gourry learned against a column and was silently impressed at first with the blue haired woman. But the longer he watched the more uneasy he grew. Because despite her enormous talent, it was obvious she was holding back.
"Who wants to take me on next?" The woman called, and someone else stepped up. Gourry continued to watch in silence as he started to notice some eerie patterns about her fighting style. Because not only did it remind him of something unhuman, he was perturbed by the way her facial expression remained unchanged as she fought. No human was able to maintain a smile like that. And then the wind changed and a smell drifted over to him and his eyes widened. But it couldn't be! But then, it had happened in Seyruun before already, hadn't it?
"General Sherra!" a boy yelled as he ran up with his mother.
Sherra? Gourry thought, Why is that familiar?
"Seymour!" the mother scolded the boy, "Don't interrupt General Sherra."
"What do you want?" Sherra asked the boy sharply as a crowd started to gather, and the sense of anxiety that ran through the crowd was palpable.
"I just want to hear your justice teaching for the day." The boy said.
"Justice Time isn't until four." Sherra said as she folded her arms under her breasts and scowled at the boy, "And I am busy training our guards."
"But I feel I need the extra teaching, so I don't stray from the path!" the boy said as the mother looked terrified as she started pulling on his arm.
"I like your devotion to justice." Sherra said as she abruptly smiled, "Remember always to let nothing stand in the path of justice. If your friends get in the way, cut them off. If your parents question justice, disown them. Find someone who loves justice to be your true father and mother. In fact, tell this woman off for getting in your way!"
"I'm sorry General Sherra!" the woman said as she got down on her hands and knees as tears welled in her eyes, "Please forgive me!"
General Sherra nodded, "I better see you at my talk this afternoon."
"You will." She said quickly.
A young woman walked past him and Gourry said, "Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"What's this about a justice talk?"
Stars shown in the woman's eyes as she clasped her hands and said breezily, "Our beloved General Sherra gives them! Do you want to come?"
"I dunno." Gourry said as he took a step back under the intensity of the devotion that emanated from her. "What time is it?"
"Four. You really should come! It's a clear sign that those who stay home lack justice in their hearts, and you want to have justice in your heart!"
"Of course!" Gourry said with a smile.
"Then I look forward to seeing you there!" she said with a big, off putting smile.
Gourry shook his head, confused, and started to walk to Lina's room, hoping now that she was done with jewelry appraising and would be there. He reached their room and opened the door and felt a stirring in his stomach when he saw her laying stomach down on the bed, wearing a button up shirt and, he was fairly sure, nothing underneath, as she kicked her legs up in the air as she read a book. She smiled as she saw him and stretched languorously as she said, "Hey."
What I wouldn't give…, he thought as he closed the door. But he knew if he took the time to indulge in some fun he would completely forget what he was even worried about. "There's trouble. I hate that's there's trouble. But there's trouble."
Lina sat up on her haunches, "Trouble?"
"I saw General Sherra."
"You did? The person who saved Prince Phil?"
"Oh, that's why her name sounded familiar!" Gourry said as he clapped his hands together.
"Her?" Lina repeated.
"That's actually the minor surprise," Gourry said, "I think she's a Mazoku."
Lina exhaled slowly, "Yeah, that is trouble. Damn and I was wanting some time to relax before we dove into the next thing."
Gourry looked at the hemline of her shirt and said, "I'd much rather be diving into you then this pile of…"
Lina got out of bed and punched him playfully on the arm before standing up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, "Okay Gourry, take it from the top, tell me everything you observed."
Gourry explained about Sherra as well as the odd behavior of the citizens of Seyruun around her and the justice talks. "So what do you think about the justice talks?"
Lina bit her lip, "Well, as miserable as it will likely be, I think we have little choice other than to see what they are all about. Besides, I want to see this General Sherra for myself."
The woman Gourry had seen earlier nodded approvingly as she saw him come in as Lina steered them to seats far in the back. "It sure is packed." Lina said.
Gourry nodded, "That man at the front looks familiar."
"That's Prince Christopher, Phil's brother." Lina explained as she observed him. Unlike the other people in the crowd who were oozing enthusiasm generally reserved for sporting events, Chris kept his expression neutral.
Meanwhile, the crowd grew quiet as General Sherra walked up to the podium and glanced at the crowd, "I'm rather disappointed that Miss Sylphiel isn't here. I expected better of her. Sadly, justice can fail to take root in the hearts of even the kindest of people."
Lina and Gourry exchanged a horrified look as around them people started shaking their heads in disapproval. Meanwhile Sherra continued, "And I guess the Duchess of Elizham is too busy preparing for her fundraiser to attend tonight. But let there be no doubt, justice will not smile on a cause that does not place justice first!"
People started to nod sagely as Lina shifted in her seat uncomfortably as she watched Christopher, who maintained a carefully neutral expression. Sherra continued, "The person who is righteous always puts justice first! And discards those who do not, be they father, mother, son or daughter, brother, sister or friend. The path of justice is narrow and full of potholes and it is better to shun those who eschew it then to risk letting them corrupt you!"
"General Sherra?" a young man asked.
"Yes."
"If the path of justice is so narrow, how can we be sure if we truly are following it?"
Sherra smiled victoriously as though she was waiting for that question, "It can be hard. Let me tell you a story from my homeland. Once there was a time of terrible confusion regarding who and what was just. The people of my town were ready to tear each other apart over it. But then one day a sword appeared, dark as night and wedged into a rock. There was a note that announced that only someone who is right with justice can safely wield the sword. Many people tried to remove it from the stone. And for some, the ugliness of their souls was revealed when they transformed into a demon, while others, those who were truly just, walked away unharmed walked away unharmed, and thus the truth was laid bare for all to see and follow. That sword's name was Dulgoffa."
"I'm rather familiar with most folklore," Lina whispered to Gourry, "And while there are many stories of legendary swords in stones, I've never heard anything like this!"
"But what can we do when we don't have a Dulgoffa?" the man asked.
"Pray that it comes to settle things once and for all if you truly have doubts." Sherra said. Around them people nodded in agreement as Sherra said, "Now, let me share this message from our beloved Crowned Prince Philionel to always keep the light of justice in your heart. Thank you for attending."
Sherra left to go and someone ran up to her, "General Sherra, if I may have a moment…"
"Do I look like I have the time to give you a moment?" Sherra snapped as she held her hand out in front of her, "The just do not make untoward demands on my time!"
"I-I'm sorry, General!"
"Wow," Gourry said, "That's completely different than what she did earlier."
"Yeah, really leaves people confused as to what to expect." Lina whispered.
"Huh?" Gourry said.
Lina shook her head, "Have you ever seen a cult?"
"Huh?" Gourry replied, "Is that what this is?"
"Shh!" Lina said. "Hey Prince Christopher!"
"Lady Lina," he said as he stopped on his way out. "Sir Gourry. I would have reached out sooner but I was away at my palace last night."
"No worries." Lina said, "So how long have these justice talks been going on?"
Christopher looked around him, "Walk with me."
Lina and Gourry moved out of the pews and fell in place beside him. Once they were away from the crowd he said, "They've been going on for a few months now. The talks didn't start like this. At first it all seemed rather reasonable. But then she started pushing the boundary, and people followed her, so she would push it even further. And after she saved my brother, things really took this hard line edge."
"What does Phil think?" Lina asked.
"You don't understand. General Sherra saved his life. And she also insists that he is busy and has better things to do then to attend these meetings, and somehow things are always scheduled at the same time. Sylphiel and I have both tried to talk to him, but I am disgraced, as I deserve to be. He doesn't listen to me."
"But to not listen to Sylphiel?" Lina said.
"Lady Maxine has far more influence than Sylphiel right now." Christopher said, "And Lady Maxine is a devoted fan of General Sherra. Unfortunately, while he believes Sylphiel is coming from a good place, he believes she is mistaken. Her traumatic past is leading her to see monsters that aren't there."
"Damn." Lina said. "Is this the worst of it though?"
"So far." Christopher said, "But her following grows more extreme by the day. Anyway, there's a meeting about to start about the security details for Prince Philionel. Excuse me."
"Take care." Lina said and they watched him walk off. After a moment Lina turned to look at Gourry, "So, think we should pay Sylphiel a visit?"
Amelia was so tired she felt as though she would fall asleep on her feet. Somehow whenever Amelia thought she could catch some time to herself Maxine would come up with another thing they would have to do, and of course it would have to be together. Even now Maxine was arm and arm with her as they watched the dancers and waited for Phil. Finally the trumpets sounded that heralded Phil's arrival. To Amelia's surprise General Sherra was behind him.
"My beautiful Maxine!" Phil said as he walked up and gave her a hug, and Amelia bit down and somehow managed to retain her composure as she tried to squash the jealousy that erupted over the fact that he hugged Maxine before her. "My precious daughter!"
"Daddy." Amelia said. "General Sherra. What a pleasant surprise."
"Yes, you will be seeing more of me." Sherra said.
"What do you mean?"
"I've been appointed Phil's personal bodyguard." Sherra said.
"I still don't see that is really necessary." Phil said.
"Yes, Daddy can take care of himself." Amelia said.
"Please, dear." Maxine said as she grabbed his arm and cuddled against him, "The Council is just rattled after this latest incident. If anything happened to you our kingdom would be in crisis! Prince Christopher renounced his claim, and you only have daughters, so it's natural that until you have a son they would want you to be well protected. I know it feels intrusive, but let's just humor them until their nerves settle."
"I supposed you're right." Phil said as he took her hand, "May I have this dance?"
"Of course." Maxine said.
Amelia watched as Phil led her to the dance floor and felt a sense of relief she had not thought possible. Finally she could have a break from her presence! Amelia took a moment to glance about the room which, to her surprise, was a bit less packed than she expected. But before she could think about it too much another unwanted person said, "Princess Amelia."
"Madame Martinette." Amelia said, "How are you doing tonight?"
"Very well, thank you." She said, "And you?"
"Very well." Amelia lied.
Martinette clucked. Amelia looked at her curiously, "What is it?"
"As your former governess, I feel the need to caution you that your reputation is in danger."
"What!?" Amelia said, alarmed.
"Well, people are talking, wondering how you, a champion of justice, can ally herself with the likes of Lina Inverse and Zelgadis Greywards."
"People who saved this kingdom!" Amelia said dangerously.
"And lined their pockets rather well in the process." Martinette said, "You do work hard to make excuses for them."
Do I? Amelia wondered. And then she shifted uncomfortably as she remember how Zelgadis and Lina seemed a lot more fixated on how word about the runaway train broke then about amending the damage they had done.
"Perhaps," Martinette said as she raised her chin, "If you worked as hard to see things clearly as you do to clear your friends your sight would be a lot more accurate."
Amelia felt stricken as Martinette pointed out a young man, "The Prince of Dils is here on a goodwill mission. Perhaps you should ask him to dance? And make an alliance with someone more suitable."
"Right." Amelia said as she felt dazed as she started to walk to the man that Martinette had indicated.
She had almost reached him when she heard Phil bellow, "Impossible!"
Amelia, along with everyone else, turned to see a messenger backing away from Phil. "I'm afraid it's true your majesty! When Zelgadis Greywards saw the manuscripts he lost all reason and attacked the rest of the party, even killing one of them, and ran off with them!"
"No!" Amelia yelled as she walked over to Phil, "It's not true! It can't be true! He would never…"
"Where is he now?" Phil interjected.
"He's on the run, I'm afraid. We tried to apprehend him but failed."
"These are serious allegations against a man who saved our kingdom." Amelia yelled.
"And who since was slandering you at the Tavern of Justice!" Count Listro said, "Forgive me, Princess, but why do you defend a man who speaks such filth about you and can't bother to return your affections?"
"You are very out of line, sir!" Amelia said.
"This is why," Martinette said as she walked up behind Amelia to whisper in her ear, "People are starting to lose confidence in whether or not you truly embrace justice."
Amelia looked at her in shock and then she looked around the room and saw people looking at her with pitying glances, disapproving headshakes and disappointed expressions. She felt as though she was punched in the gut as a sense of surrealness settled over the room. None of this was making sense! Somehow she managed to hold it together enough to say, "I need a moment. Excuse me please."
Amelia started to walk out of the room and cringed as Maxine started following her. "I need a moment alone!"
Amelia left the ballroom, and Maxine turned to face everyone, "It's a difficult truth. I will help her to confront it in a minute…"
"To be honest I'm not sure I believe it." Phil said. "I mean…"
But his voice trailed off as they heard the sounds of heavy footsteps running, and everyone turned to stare out the window just in time to see Lina Inverse running through the well lit garden holding the crown destined for the next crowned princess of Seyruun in her hands and a bag of jewelry with glimmering emeralds spilling out of it. She stopped a moment when she realized that everyone was watching her and favored them with a contemptuous smile as she laughed, threw the bag of jewels over her shoulder and ran.
"Excuse me." Sherra said as her eyes took on a hard edge, "I must stop this theft of the crown jewels."
Phil watched as Sherra took off after her feeling numb with shock. Because while he did not want to believe it of Lina, Gourry or Zelgadis, he also could not forget the fact that one brother he thought would never betray him did, as well as a nephew, nor could he deny the reality of what he had just seen. Yet to learn that two trusted allies might not have been worthy of that trust in one night? In two separate instances? Still in the end, who could really say what was in people's hearts?
AN: Well, do we see where this is going now? LOL. Anyway, in re-reading the Cursed Sword of Bezeld I was hoping for more clarity with regards to when and how Gourry found out the truth about Sherra, but it is rather ambiguous. In the novels Gourry says he realized Xellos was a Mazoku because of how he smelled and that it just made sense the longer he knew him, and from what I recall in the future novels Gourry does have a well developed Mazoku radar. Given Gourry does identify people based on their fighting style I figured that if he saw Sherra in action he would be able to put two and two together. Anyway, I know exactly where this is going and am excited about it, all I need now is time and energy.