The Crimson Lady - Part Five

Lina was standing at the window when she saw Naga ride up towards the manor house. "Finally," she muttered and ran down to the entrance hall to greet the final member of the group. "What took you son long to get here Naga?" she demanded when the older woman dismounted.

Naga grinned. "I found the most wonderful tavern and had to stop and try their wares," she said.

Lina wrinkled her nose. "I can smell that," she grumbled. She sighed. "Grab your stuff and I'll show you to your room. By the way, I hope you brought a more appropriate outfit," she said and gestured for a stableboy to take Naga's horse to the stables. "Follow me," she ordered and walked up the steps and into the manor.

Naga grabbed her packs and followed Lina inside. "Quite a nice place. Who owns it and can I take anything?" she asked.

"It's mine and if you take anything, I'll Dragon Slave you into next year," Lina said, turning to glare at Naga.

"Miss Lina who-"

Lina turned around to see Amelia staring at Naga with wide, tear-filled eyes. "Amelia? Are you okay?" she asked, approaching the young princess.

Amelia's lips trembled. "Gracia?" she whispered.

Lina's eyes widened and she looked back at Naga. "That's Gracia!!!!!!?" she exclaimed, her voice carrying throughout the entire manor and grounds. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted.

Gourry had just walked in and managed to catch Lina before she could hit the ground. He swung her up into his arms. "What happened to Lina?" he demanded.

Amelia and Naga ignored Gourry.

"Hello Amy," Naga said softly and hesitantly held out her arms.

Amelia gave a small cry and flung herself into her older sisters arms, sobbing.She wrapped her arms around Naga's waist and held on as if Naga would disappear at any second.

Zelgadis ran onto the scene, his sword drawn. He had been reading in Lina's extensive library when he'd heard her scream. Alarmed, he'd grabbed his sword and prepared for trouble. He screeched to a halt just inches away from Naga and the crying Amelia. "What's wrong with Amelia?" he demanded.

"N-nothing Mister *hiccup* Zelgadis *sob*," Amelia managed to get out.

"Then why are you crying and who is this woman?" Zelgadis asked.

"My name is Naga the White Serpent," Naga replied. "But Amy here knows me as Gracia, her older sister."

At Naga's words, Amelia burst into fresh tears.

Naga winced at bit as the volume of Amelia's cries rose, but still hugged her little sister.

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That night at dinner, (after Lina and Amelia had both recovered) the group started to make plans.

Naga pointed a chicken leg at Martina. "If you and Lina don't get along, why are you here?" she asked before tearing off a bite of the meat.

"Lina and Gourry saved my new kingdom from being destroyed by a Mazoku, so I owe her a debt. This is my way of paying her back," Martina said after Zangulus nudged her.

Naga nodded her head and swallowed. "What about her?" she asked, pointing to Sylphiel, who was staring at Gourry with adoring eyes.

"She's good at healing spells. I'll need her to help take care of the wounded," Lina replied. "The same with Filia and Amelia. They're both good at White magic."

"And what will I do?" Naga asked.

"Help fight," Lina replied, her eyes hardening. She wouldn't let anybody see the pain she was feeling about having to fight her home.

"And what about them?" Naga asked, pointing to Xellos, Gourry and Zelgadis.

"Xellos, Gourry and Zelgadis will be helping fight. They're all experienced in battle," Lina said.

"What exactly are their specialties?"

"Xellos is a Mazoku, so he's good at anything that has to do with fighting. Zelgadis is a chimera, so he's basically indestructible. And Gourry here is my protector and companion. We're a great team," Lina said, giving Gourry a quick smile.

Gourry nodded. "I'm gonna protect her from all danger," he said proudly.

Naga rolled her eyes. "Sure you are," she drawled.

"Oh, believe me. He's quite capable of doing it," Xellos said, opening his eyes to look at Naga.

Naga was more than a bit un-nerved to be the object of that unhuman stare and quickly turned to the servant standing nearby. "More wine," she ordered.

Lina shook her head. "I want you sober for this," she told the older woman.

Amelia stared silently at her trencher, just listening to all that went on around her.

Filia smacked Xellos. "Leave Amelia's sister alone Namagomi," she hissed.

Xellos looked at Filia. "Why should I do that?" he asked innocently. He smiled, daring her to lose her temper.

Filia's tail popped out as she stood. She calmly reached for her mace and just as calmly imbedded it in the back on his head. "Because I said so," she replied sweetly and sat back down.

Naga stared at Filia and Xellos, wondering what she'd gotten herself into.